Age 19. 19 Sunset Road, Stoneham, MA. Born on 4/03/1923, in Winchester, MA. Died 12/02/1942 (Wednesday), at 8:55 a.m., at Boston City Hospital, burns (death certificate) and pneumonia (news accounts). Student at Emmanuel College, Boston. Was known by her middle name Virginia. First name Gertrude. "Attractive 19-year-old..." (Woburn Daily Times, Woburn, MA, 12/03/1942). Was celebrating the same-day acceptance of boyfriend John Heyman, age 23 (Born 9/04/1919. Died 3/30/2019, age 99. Last residence Wilbraham, MA), of Springfield, MA, survived, into the U.S. Naval Aviation Cadet Corps. Pair had attended the season-ending afternoon 55-to-12 football upset by mediocre (4 wins, 4 losses) Holy Cross over undefeated (8 wins, 0 losses) Boston College at Fenway Park. "The couple returned to Miss McLaughlin's home, following the game and then decided to have dinner at Cocoanut Grove" (Stoneham Press, 12/04/1942). Went from their main dining room table around 10 p.m. down to explore the cellar Melody Lounge. When the fire started they returned slowly back up the stairs towards the foyer. Observed the main revolving door was already clogged with people. Escaped through a locked Piedmont Street exit after it was forced open from outside by firemen. Pair went by taxi to City Hospital. Recalled by Mr. Heyman (at age 93) in 2012: "Virginia did not appear to be seriously burned but had suffered from respiratory problems as a child. She died...of smoke inhalation" (The Boston Globe, 11/28/2012). "At the Boston City Hospital...the burns commenced to succumb to treatment. Pneumonia set in which actually caused the death..." (Woburn Daily Times, 12/03/1942). Was a graduate of Stoneham High School in 1940, where she was a cheerleader. Attended Emmanuel College, Boston, for two years, was to transfer to Boston University in January. One of two victims from the northern Hub suburb of Stoneham (also Miss Pauline Finnegan, age 21, a patron in a separate party). Parents Mr. Peter P., same address, and the late Mrs. Agnes C. (Coyne) McLaughlin. Burial at Calvary Cemetery, Woburn, MA. Mr. Heyman was one of the last six known still-living Grove fire survivors upon his March 2019 death at age 99.

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