Sister Edith McLaughlin, a retired parochial school teacher and a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Philadelphia, died of dementia and vascular disease complications Thursday at her order's retirement home in Aston, Pa. She was 82.

Born Edith McLaughlin in McKeesport, Pa., and raised near Patterson Park, she was a 1943 graduate of Catholic High School and worked as a clerk-typist at the Glenn L. Martin aircraft factory in Middle River.

She entered the Franciscan Sisters of Philadelphia in 1945 and was initially known as Sister Mary Thomasita. She earned a bachelor's degree in history from San Diego College for Women.

She taught at Immaculate Conception School in Elkton and at Waverly's St. Bernard's School, also called the Holy Spirit School. She also held teaching posts in Oklahoma and California. She retired in 1999.

A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road in Aston, Pa.

Survivors include a niece and nephew.