Mary Anne O'Neill McElroy

Mary Anne ONeill McElroy was born December 25, 1931 on the family farm west of Winchester, KS. Her parents were Hugh Thomas and Helen (Sloop) Fulton ONeill. Mary joined the Winchester Reformed Presbyterian Church on May 4, 1941 and remained a member of that denomination throughout her lifetime. Mary attended school in Winchester and graduated from Winchester High School in May, 1949. She attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence from 1949-1951, going home to Winchester on weekends to cook and clean for her father because her mother had passed away. On December 7, 1951, she married U.S. Air Force Private Robert Lloyd McElroy at the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Winchester, KS. They are the parents of two sons, Thomas Lloyd and Robert Joseph. Mary and Bob relocated several times due to Bobs service in the Air Force. While living in Mississippi Mary continued her education and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, graduating Magna Cum Laude in May of 1961 from Mississippi State College for Women. She completed her Masters of Arts degree from The University of Ohio in September of 1972. Marys career in education started in a one-room school in Salina, KS and continued through their moves from Mississippi, New York, Ohio and back to Kansas. She taught in the Goddard, KS school system and then became Principal of Goddard Intermediate School, and she retired as an Assistant Superintendent of the Goddard School District in 1994. Among the honors she received in her field was the Jennings Scholar Award from The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, Principal of the Year 1989-90, and she received an Outstanding Service Award from Intermediate Learning Center Staff for 15 years of excellence from 1977-1992. Mary and her husband Bob had many friends in Goddard and Wichita, and Mary was active with the Goddard Womens Club for many years. She was also a member of Sigma Kappa sorority. Mary was a loving and supportive wife, devoted mother, generous and encouraging grandmother, a dedicated educator, an avid reader, and she was committed to excellence in all areas of her life. She is preceded in death by her husband Bob, her parents and her half-sisters Hazel Dobbs, Erma Harrelson, and Flora Dill. She is survived by her sons Thomas Lloyd (Dianne) of Columbia, MD and Robert Joseph (Debra) of Wichita, KS; grandchildren Bria (Matthew) Barry, Lindsey McElroy, Sean (Shannon) McElroy, Jessica (Andrew) Curtis, Emily (Robert) Hetherington, Allison McElroy; great grandchildren Lenah McElroy (Sean), Charlotte Barry (Bria) and one step-great grandchild Braylon Mink (Sean); and many nieces and nephews. “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:25-29. A visitation with the family will be held on Monday, October 17 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Dove Estates in Goddard, KS. A memorial service and inurnment will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, December 10 at Reformed Presbyterian Church and Cemetery in Winchester, Kansas.