Mrs. Patricia Anne McElroy

Obituary – Patricia Anne (Smith) McElroy April 29, 1933 - August 11, 2017 Patricia Anne Smith was born in Midland Michigan on April 29, 1933, to Clara A.(Booth) Smith, an elementary school teacher, and Cecil E. Smith, a farmer. Pat grew up on the family farm in near Averill in Lincoln Township, outside of Midland, with her brother Cecil Junior, and sisters Rayma (Sirrine), Maureen and Jan (Holzschuh). Pat attended Midland High School. She was a business co-op student and active in the F.F.A. (Future Farmers of America). Upon graduation from high school, Pat went to work as a receptionist in the personnel office at Dow Chemical Company in Midland. It was there that she met the love of her life, a young mechanical engineer from Wisconsin, Larry N. McElroy. After 3 dates, they were very much in love, and decided to marry. They were married on April 19, 1952 at the First Presbyterian Church in Midland, and settled into their new home on Tittabawassee St. in Sanford. By 1953 they began their family with the birth of Penny Annette. More children followed soon: Lorraine Noel, Marilyn Suzanne, Steven William, and Carol Marie. The McElroy family moved around for Larry’s job quite a bit over the years, living for a time in Chuluota Florida, Brunswick, Ohio, West Dundee, Illinois, Saginaw, Michigan, and LaGrange and Watkinsville Georgia. At each stop along the way, Patricia guided the sometimes-difficult transition process with patience and love – always saying that if we were with family, we were at home, no matter where it might be. For many years, Pat worked in the home looking after the house and children. She was an excellent tailor and one Christmas took in sewing to earn the money for a special gift for Larry. When her youngest child was ready for school, she took up her old career and went to work in the office of a local church in Saginaw. She loved helping to make things run smoothly, and used this talent in positions in law offices, manufacturing corporations and educational institutions. Dearest to her heart were these last two because these experiences provided her with important mentors – Dr. Priest at Hills-McCanna in Illinois, and Dr. Adkins in the Nursing Program at Hillsborough Community College in Florida. Dr. Priest encouraged Pat to pursue her education, and Pat subsequently earned her Associate’s Degree from Elgin Community College in Illinois. It was a source of pride, that she passed her professional exam to become a Certified Professional Secretary. Pat and Larry always loved Florida, and at Larry’s retirement returned to live in Tampa. They enjoyed the Oldsmar Flea Market, attending Bluegrass Festivals, working on individual projects and visiting with family. They also worked as a team to care for ill family members – easing the transition from this life to the next for sister Maureen, and mothers Edna J. McElroy and Clara A. Smith. In 2012, Pat moved to St. Mark Village in Palm Harbor, made many friends and lived happily until her death from stomach cancer and kidney failure on August 11, 2017. Pat was preceded in death by her beloved Larry, son Steve, sister Maureen, mother Clara, and mother in law Edna. She is survived by her sister Jan Holzschuh (Sherman), children: Penny McElroy (Keith Mann), Lori Bosley (John), Marilyn McKeague (John), Carol Hiers (Kenny) and daughter in law Brenda McElroy, grandchildren: Joe Mann, Sarah Steffen, Erin Tagliareni, Kristen Reed (Andy), Megan Lerner (Elliot), Michael McKeague, Devan Hiers, Jason Hiers, Joshua McElroy (Kiersten), and Isaiah McElroy and great grandchildren: Eva Steffen, Greyson Gonzales, Eli Clemente, Lyla Reed, James Reed, Parker Lerner, and Jake Lerner. A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday August 17 in the chapel at St. Mark Village, with reception to follow in the Village room. Flowers are welcome, and donations may be made in Pat’s honor to the American Cancer Society.