Dylan Thomas McLaughlin

Dylan Thomas McLaughlin of Hillsborough, formerly of Pittsboro, NC, in the Silk Hope Community. He also lived in Siler City, Asheville, Chapel Hill, and Ocean Isle Beach, all in NC. Dylan died in Hillsborough on Thursday morning April 4, 2024, following years of declining mental health.

Dylan was born at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC on Thursday, September 11, 1986, to Dianne Elizabeth (Ames) of Cortland, NY and David Wayne McLaughlin of Tampa, Florida (and many other states). Their first child was loved and adored by both parents and would have likely been an only child, but he begged for a sibling and so his brother Dexter Gerald McLaughlin was welcomed on July 2, 1991.

Dylan’s  early years were spent on Chestnut Hill in Silk Hope playing in the big room (outside) watching the wildlife and weather permitting, sledding down Gurney Hill. He enjoyed frequent visits from his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins and co-hosted (in charge of getting the toys out) many gatherings with friends and neighbors. He had many playmates, both young and old.

He enrolled in a wonderful pre-k program that mainstreamed children with disabilities in with non-disabled kids. This taught him to be welcoming and comfortable with a diverse population.

His next years were spent attending Silk Hope School (in the AG program) and later graduating from Jordan Matthews High school, sometimes attaining honor roll or distinguished status. He attended Central Carolina Community College but did not graduate due to the lack of two courses. He recently expressed disappointment in not obtaining that degree, especially since he was on the Dean’s list much of the time. Throughout all of this he was a frequent volunteer at the Chatham County Council on Aging helping with the Chocolate Cake Bake-off, A Taste of Chatham and Evening in Kabul fundraisers and The Rocky River Festival.

During several summers in high school, he worked as a camp counselor at the Jewish Community Center in Charlotte. He later dabbled in restaurant work, construction, carpentry, shuttle-driving, auto repair and landscaping. He had interests in becoming a musician and tried the street musician route in Chapel Hill for a time. He was also interested in pursuing work in theater/acting. He attended several theater productions in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Sanford where he caught the acting bug. He appeared in several school plays through the years, in the Sword of Peace outdoor theater in Snow Camp, NC and on Family Independent films: Cooties from Nowhere, Captain Geech and the Shrimpshooters  and the Skeleton Key to Paradise.

His unrealized dream was to get his CDL and become a truck driver and also to go to California, so at some point I will be driving to California to distribute his ashes, likely not in a big rig though!

He was the Grandson of Gerald Willard Ames and Joan Ellen (Jefferson) Ames. Joan was from Toronto and so he had the great fortune to visit his Great Grandmother Ivy Umpleby (Art) Jefferson in one of the world’s great cities.

Grandparents Gerald and Joan provided him with his mom, two Aunts (Sue and Kathy) and an Uncle (Michael) who welcomed him into the world and have been an integral part of his life.

After his grandpa Ames died (long before Dylan came along), Step-Granddad, William C. Vrooman stepped into the picture, so Dylan had three extra Aunts and an Uncle.

On David’s side of the family were Dylan’s Grandparents Thomas D. and Selma (Halberg) McLaughlin. Dylan was fortunate to also meet his paternal great grandmother Helen (William) McLaughlin before she passed. David’s siblings both showered Dylan with love and attention. There were many visits and excursions to see his Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

Dylan was preceded in death by all of his Grandparents and Great Grandparents, his maternal Grand-Uncle F. Richard Ames, Uncle David Kell and paternal Grand Aunts and Uncle: Jean, John, and Carol Halberg. He is also hopefully reminiscing with his wonderful friend Steven Dominic "Nic" Vitaro, lost in a tragic vehicle accident in 2017 and for whom Dylan named his only child. And dear friend/pastor Randy Oberrath left just prior to Dylan so as to welcome him to the great beyond.

Dylan’s trusty dog Oreo along with many other household pets will be at the rainbow bridge, (just South of heaven) to send him on his way.

He leaves to cherish his memory his parents, Dianne and David, his wonderful brother Dexter, his wife Allison Beau McLaughlin and their beautiful 5-year-old son Dominic "Nic" David McLaughlin. We are all struggling to come to terms with this heart-breaking loss.

Also grieving are his Aunt Susan (Phillip) Rehbein, Uncle Michael Ames, Aunt Kathleen Ames-Brooker, Cousins: Melonie (Bernie) Dappie, Matt (Amanda) Rehbein, Amy Rehbein Terlizzi, Andrew (Allie) Rehbein, Kristen Ames Treacy and Tracie Ames Meola (Seth Barrow) and all of their children, Brooklyn and Carter Terlizzi, Henry, Evie and Freddy Rehbein, Lex and Drew Rehbein, Ryan Ames, Callen Treacy, Madison Meola and Olivia and Wyatt Barrow. 

Also in mourning are his Aunt Diane (Blackmon) Ferguson, Uncle Stephen (Lavon) McLaughlin and cousins Kyle (Casey) McLaughlin, Eric McLaughlin, Kimberly (Tyler) McLaughlin Patterson and their children Caden, Keagan and Kennah McLaughlin and Liam and Ellie Patterson.

He also leaves his steps: Aunt Sally Kell, Uncle Bill Vrooman, Aunt Barb (Bob) Hart, and Aunt MJ (Lori) Vrooman and cousins Eric (Laura) Kell, Brian Kell, Ryan Hart, and Kevin Hart. And Eric’s children Justin, Ryan, and Tyler.

He leaves many more cousins and dear friends in NC, NY, GA, FL, VA, OH and indeed the whole US and Canada, who love and will miss Dylan. Something sweet or funny that he did or said will pop into their mind every now and then and will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

Memorial Contributions can be offered on behalf of Dylan, to his son Nic’s Education Fund.

to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline – or - to the Sub-Committee on Mental Health at Pittsboro United Methodist Church 71 West Street Pittsboro, NC 27312.

Dylan…what fun we had with your great sense of humor, gregarious personality, joking nature, wonderful hugs, and your just plain sweetness. You will never know how much you are loved and will be missed. My heart is aching but “Life goes on…long after the thrill of living is gone.”

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the McLaughlin family.