Maura T. Wilburn

Mary Teresa (McLoughlin) Wilburn, affectionately known as Maura, went home to the Lord on July 9, 2025, at the age of 87.

Maura was born on August 14, 1937, in Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, to Michael and Mary Anne (McCullagh) McLoughlin. She was one of three children, along with her brothers Martin (predeceased) and Michael.

She earned her degree in Home Economics education from the Cambridge Institute of Education in Kent, England, and began her teaching career at Maidstone School in Kent. It was during this time that she met a young U.S. Navy seaman from Union, South Carolina—Donald Wilburn—at a dance. That encounter led to a true and lasting love. The couple married on August 7, 1963, in Dublin, Ireland, and honeymooned around the Irish countryside before Maura emigrated to the United States.

After a brief stay in South Carolina, Maura and Don settled permanently in the Jacksonville Beaches area in 1967. They were married for 47 years before Don’s passing and raised three children: Mary Ann, Edward John, and Susan Patricia.

Maura and Don were among the founding parishioners of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, where they cultivated lifelong friendships and raised their family grounded in faith, service, and community. Over the years, Maura was deeply involved in parish life—serving as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and participating in Marriage Encounter. She also dedicated time to the Bereavement Ministry and, in later years, found a special calling serving those financially struggling and homeless through the Emergency Assistance Ministry at St Johns,

Maura began her teaching career in the U.S. in 1969 as a fourth-grade teacher at St. Paul’s Catholic School in Jacksonville Beach, FL. She later earned her American teaching certification through the University of North Florida, one of its first graduating classes. For over 30 years, she taught Home Economics in Duval County at Fletcher Junior High and Matthew Gilbert Middle School, where she was known as an outstanding educator. Her FHA (Future Homemakers of America) program received national recognition.

In her later years, Maura enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, attending daily Mass, traveling with loved ones, and enjoyed pilgrimages around the world. She continued her service through the St. John’s Emergency Assistance Ministry and brought Communion to homebound parishioners. She also cherished her Bible Study group at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church and loved breakfast outings with close friends. A lifelong reader, she was an enthusiastic member of the Valencia Book Club for the past ten years, where she made many dear friends.

Maura maintained strong ties to her beloved Ireland and remained close with her extended family. She is survived by her brother Michael (Rose) and sister-in-law Pat; her children Mary Ann (Greg) Miller, Ed (Mary) Wilburn, Susan Wilburn; and her grandchildren: Alison Maureen Miller, Austin Lawrence Miller, Sean Edward Wilburn (Nina), Kathryn Rose Wilburn, and Caroline Joyce Wilburn. She is also remembered by many loving friends and extended family members.

A Vigil Service will be held on Wednesday, July 23rd at 6:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, followed by an Irish Toast at Culhane’s Irish Pub, 967 Atlantic Blvd, Atlantic Beach, FL.

A Funeral Mass and Reception will take place at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on Thursday, July 24th at 10:30 a.m., concluding at 1:00 p.m. The immediate family will attend the interment at 1:30 p.m.

Both services will be available for viewing online [further details to be posted on July 21]

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maura’s memory to the St. John’s Emergency Assistance Ministry. Contributions can be mailed to: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 2400 Mayport Road Jacksonville, FL 32233