Not so for Virginia Jacobs McLaughlin. She was ready to start climbing scaffolding.
McLaughlin had a long history of painting, but it wasnât until later in life that she found her calling as a commercial muralist, transforming barren walls into depictions of historical scenes in private homes and commercial properties.
Over the course of nearly 30 years she distinguished herself as a prolific painter, completing around 130 works in the mid-Atlantic region.
McLaughlin, who lived in Frederick for the last 24 years, died Dec. 5 at the age of 98 following a late stage diagnosis of cancer of the liver, kidney and stomach.
She excelled in art as early as high school, leading her to study art at Stephens College and The University of Missouri, Columbia, where she earned a four-year degree.