Astrid O'Loughlin

Astrid Dianthe O’Loughlin (Loeff) died peacefully at home, while on hospice, in Escondido, California on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 just after 4 pm in the arms of her husband of 27 years, surrounded by her mother, Heartly, her brother Adrian and wife Liz, Joanne, her roommate from hygiene school days and Jovita, her long time friend from Hawaii. She died much too young at the age of 55 after a 18 month battle with Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer. She was a non smoker.

Astrid is survived by her husband Paul Gerard O’Loughlin of Escondido, California; her mother Heartly Maureen Navasard of Glendale, California; her children Stephen 21, Lauren 18, Sophia 16, and Nicholas 14; and her brother Adrian Loeff of San Jose, California.  She is preceded in death by her father Peter Joan Loeff in 2008.

Astrid was born on November 24, 1963 in Glendale, California. She graduated in 1981 from Monte Vista, High School in Cupertino, California and went on to earn certification in dental assisting which led to her to seek a career in dental hygiene receiving an RDH degree from Foothill College in 1992.

She met her husband, Paul, during hygiene school while on rotation at the dental clinic at Naval Air Station, Moffett Field near San Jose, California. Paul was serving as dental officer with the Navy in his first tour following graduation from University of Illinois College of Dentistry.   Astrid cinched the deal by being given a second unannounced rotation at Moffett and, after a focused courtship of abundance, they married six months later on September 11, 1992 at Moffett Field Chapel with family and friends present from across the U.S.  In November, the nuptials moved to Okinawa, Japan to begin their 27 year Navy life together.  The whirlwind romance began in South East Asia travelling to Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo and they enjoyed weekends SCUBA diving in Okinawa.

They waited five years before the biological clock alarm went off.  Stephen Michael was born in 1997 In Bethesda, Maryland when Astrid hung up her scrub top and dental scalers and exchanged her passion for full time dental hygiene to a fuller time parenting. She felt blessed to be able to stay home to raise their first child.  Following completion of a residency in comprehensive dentistry, Paul took the family to Pearl Harbor where Astrid gave birth to their first daughter, Lauren Alexandra, who was born at Tripler Army Medical Center in 2000, and the growing family enjoyed four years in the beauty of the Pacific Islands in the midst of sun, surf, diapers and jogging strollers.  It was here that they were introduced to reformed Christian theology and attended Trinity Church Leeward in Mililani where Pastor Pete Anderson excelled at topical Christ centered preaching.

In 2002, the family moved to Escondido where they bought a house during the middle of the housing bubble.  The same year, Astrid gave birth to their second daughter, Sophia, and in 2004 their second son, Nicholas, both at Balboa Naval Hospital.  They discovered through the yellow pages a listing of a PCA church nearby called New Life Presbyterian Church. They became members in 2003.  After a ship tour and a shore tour in San Diego, orders availed and the family of six found themselves back in Hawaii from 2007 to 2012, this time on the windward side at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe.  Astrid excelled in homeschooling all four children in the idyllic setting of the base community fondly referred to as “Mayberry.” They worshipped at Trinity Church Kailua and lived on “Pond Rd” and after 3 years moved to “Hilltop” where Astrid made many life-long friends. 

In 2012, the family moved back to Escondido to the same house which seemed a little smaller than before.  The children were weaned off of home schooling through The Classical Academy. Astrid continued to excel at the rigors of domestic engineering, raising four children ranging from the art of Continental table manners to providing taxi service for the children’s multitude of various activities, to generously volunteering time and money for student and teacher events--all the while staying connected to past and present friends and family through Facebook.  She chronicled her cancer journey through Facebook sharing the hills and valleys of treatment.

Astrid was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend and persisted in her love of God, family, country and friends touching all in so many different ways.  Astrid’s memorial service will be a celebration of her life and her Redeemer and will be held on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 3 pm at New Life Presbyterian Church located at 615 W Citracado Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025.  Pastor Ted Hamilton will preside over the service.  A reception on the patio will follow.  Offerings of food or desert items are welcomed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the many ministries of New Life Presbyterian Church or the Classical Academies in care of Astrid D. O’Loughlin where all four of her children have or are presently attending.

 https://www.newlifepca.com/giving/

https://classicalacademy.com/give-now-3/  

Condolences are appreciated and may be sent via Facebook.  The family would like to thank the care givers at the Balboa Naval Hospital, UCSD Moore’s Cancer Center, and the Hospice of North Coast for their sensitivity and dedication in providing compassionate care and to friends and family far and wide for the many humbling and kind notes, thoughtful words and heartfelt prayers.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Astrid O'Loughlin, please visit our floral store.