Doreen B. (costello) Mcelroy

Doreen B. (Costello) McElroy, 86, passed away on Friday, (July 2, 2010). Born in Ontario, Canada on June 17, 1924, she graduated from St. Michaels Nursing School in 1946 and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force where she met her future husband, Wing Commander James McElroy, M.D. They were married in Goosebay, Labrador in 1950 and shortly left for London, England where her eldest child was born. Their return to Canada was followed by many moves with the RCAF including Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Boston, San Antonio, TX, and Montreal. In 1969 she moved permanently to the United States with her husband and five children and settled in Hartford, CT where she resided until 1983. While living in Connecticut she was employed as a nurse at several different facilities and was active in the Connecticut Historical Society. A summer resident of Orleans, MA since 1950, Doreen moved to Cape Cod in 1983 as a year-round resident and opened a Bed and Breakfast, 'The 1840 House' in her antique home on Main Street. An avid and knowledgeable antique collector, Doreen was invited to feature her home on the Historic Christmas house tour several times. In Orleans, she was an active member of the Orleans Historical Society and the Snow Library where she used her artistic talent to create charming montages for the display case. Doreen loved to entertain and summer afternoon gatherings in the cool shade of her 150-year old maple were very popular with her large circle of friends and family. Along with her parents, Doreen was predeceased by her husband, James, who died in 1979 and is survived by her five children, Diane Taylor of Boston, MA, Trisha McElroy of Exeter, NH, Joan Delugo and her husband, Robert, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Annabel McElroy and her husband, William Hahn, of Wellfleet, MA, and James McElroy and his wife, Kelley, of East Hartford, CT; six grandchildren, Annabel Champlin, Emily Nelson, Alicia Brocuglio, Shawn Brocuglio, Caitlin McElroy, and Thomas McElroy and six great-grandchildren. She also leaves a sister, June Locking and two nieces who reside in Canada. A celebration of Doreen's life will be held on Sunday, August 8, 2010 from 3-7 PM at 108 Rock Harbor Road, Orleans, MA. Private burial will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Doreen's memory may be made to the Orleans Historical Society or the Orleans Rescue Squad Association, both in Orleans, MA, The D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford, CT has been entrusted with the care of the funeral arrangements. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.