Ricky
Wickford Art Association
In Honor of Ricky McLaughlin
Greetings!

We are sorry to have to inform you of the loss of one of our own.  Fredericka (Ricky) McLaughlin, our Co-Festival Director for the 50th Anniversary of the famed "Wickford Art Festival" has passed away, leaving us all in deep sadness.  Ricky came to us a few years ago, pouring her creative energy and zest into volunteering her skills and time to helping our Association into the 21st century.  Her work ethic was unmatched, her passion for the arts a driving force in creating a successful festival.  Ricky was working fervently to help create an unforgettable festival, while all the while struggling with her health.  To all of our dismay, Ricky was hospitalized a day before the artist registration reception occurred to begin the festival and was unable to attend the festival. 
The specifics on the memorial service honoring her life are below.  We are grateful for all she has done for us and we will be honoring her life and works at a later date as an Association. She was a model for all of our current and future volunteers.  A collection was taken up (an inspiration of Ellen Waxman, owner of 5 Main Gallery in Wickford) at the 50th Wickford Art Festival from the exhibiting artists and the funds raised will be going towards creating a plaque in Ricky's honor and to buy a tree to be planted on the WAA Gallery grounds. 
Frederica M. (Dollenberg) McLaughlin
August 9, 2012

Frederica M. (Dollenberg) McLaughlin, 70, of Wickford, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, August 9, 2012. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was a daughter of the late Col. Fred P. Dollenberg and Marie (Fishgall) Dollenberg. 

Ms. McLaughlin was the Director of Development for the arts at numerous schools and museums, including RISD and the Newport Art Museum. She was the Co-Director of the Wickford Art Festival, an avid gardener, and a Communicant of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Wickford. 

She leaves her two sons: Reid H. McLaughlin and his wife Kelsa of Annapolis, MD, and Ryan H. McLaughlin and his wife Melania of Geneve, Switzerland. Cherished grandmother of Chiara, Francesca, Nora, and Nathalie. She was the sister of Eric Dollenberg of Hilton Head, SC and Gretchen Strzlecki of Quakertown, PA.

Her Requiem Eucharist will be held Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 11:00 am in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 55 Main Street, Wickford. Burial will be private. Calling hours are respectfully omitted. Arrangements have been entrusted to The Cranston-Murphy Funeral Home of Wickford. 

In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory to Dana Farber Cancer Institute for Breast Cancer or the Home and Hospice Care of RI will be appreciated.

 


 

Sincerely,

 The WAA Board of Directors:

Pamela Reed- President
Judith Anderson- Vice President
Nancy Neilsen- Treasurer
Carole Berren- Secretary

and 
Sarah Tallarico-Gallery Director