Mary Helen McElroy

MCELROY

Posted By: Teresa Wood (email)
Date: 3/8/2009 at 12:25:28

Sioux City Journey
14 February 2009

Mary Helen McElroy
Mary Helen McElroy, 80, of Sioux City, died Thursday, Feb. 12 2009 at her son's residence in Sioux City following complications from brain cancer. Mary Helen suffered only briefly and passed into heaven with all 11 of her children by her side.
Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with the Rev. Merlin J. Schrad officiating and the Rev. Richard D. Ball as homilist. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday with the family present at Larkin Northside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. A rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. sunday at the funeral home by representatives of the Bishop Heelan Catholic School System and Trinity Heights organization. A vigil service will be held at 7p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Mary Helen was born Jan. 19, 1929 in Sioux City, the daughter of O. Henry and Helen Ann (Smith) Swanson. She graduated from Briar Cliff College in 1951 with a bachelor of music degree. She married Terence McElroy, an Irish immigrant on Aug. 30, 1052 at Blessed Sacrament Church. He passed away on May 31, 1986 in Sioux City.

Mary Helen was a musician and music teacher. She taught music at the Liberty School and at St. Michael's Catholic School in South Sioux City. Mary Helen also taught music to the nurses in training at both St. Joseph and St. Vincent Schools of nursing. She played the piano at the S.S. Kresge Store as well as playing the organ at many Siouxland churches for many choirs.

Mary Helen wa a life-long resident of Sioux City. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Chruch and the Blessed Sacrament Confraternity. Mary Helen was a supporter of the Queen of Peace and Trinity Heights organizations. She played the organ at the Latin Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of the Epiphany. Mary Helen was a supporter of the La Leche League. She was a member of the Siouxland Women's Chorus. Mary Helen thrived by passing her love of music on to children through music piano lessons.
Survivors include five sons and their wives, Jim and Di McElroy of Johnston, Iowa, Terry and Kris McElroy of Sioux City, John and Marci McElroy of Omaha, NE, Patrick and Teresa McElroy of Sioux City and Dan and Leann McElroy of West Des Moines, Iowa; six daughters and their husbands, Mary and David Bishop of Sioux City, Eileen and Ken Friedmann of Sioux City, Ann and Mike Meier of Sioux City, Katie and Ron Demers of Sioux City, Helen and Randy Clymer of Bourbonnais, IL and Maureen and Dennis Van Meter of Clive, IA; 30 grandchildren and their spouses, Matt Clymer and his wife Andrea; Josh Clymer and his wife Kelli; Patrick, Ella, and Abby Demers; Ashley, Haley, Brett and Camdyn Meier; Grace, Erin, Emma and Claire McElroy; Riley and Madeline McElroy; Allie and Mollie Friedmann; Zach and Nick Van Meter; Megan Bishop; Sarah Bishop and her fiance Michael Kallal; Brianne Tysdahl and her husband Chad; Beth McElroy; Lisa McElroy and her husband Angel Perez; Josh McElroy and his fiance Laura Rickert, Kevin McElroy and Hann McElroy; and Shari, Kali and Bridget McElroy; three great grandchildren; and close friends Phil Kevane of Sioux City and Mary Elaine O'Hara of Sioux City.

Mary Helen was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons Matt and Josh Clymer, Josh and Kevin McElroy and Zach and Nick Van Meter.