A. Drucilla McElroy

Many things can be said about A. Drucilla McElroy. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, warm, and empathic woman, her compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing her charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. She was warmhearted, gentle and organized in all the things she sought to accomplish. Drucilla was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around her. She generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

Her parents were Newton and Alethea (Hafer) Parish. Drucilla was raised in Cumberland, Maryland. When she was young, her friends and family found that “straightforward” and “honest” were perfect words to describe her. Even as a child, Drucilla demonstrated strong qualities of self-confidence, perceptive ability and a disposition that was enjoyable to those around her.

As a young girl, Drucilla was imaginative, ingenious, clever and a “novel” thinker. Regardless of whether her peers were older or younger, or came from different backgrounds, she could easily relate to other kids. In her spare time she liked to read and go to the movies, but her early childhood included a lot of running away from school! However, to Drucilla, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with her many friends.

During her high school years, Drucilla had a natural flair for cheering on and applauding just about everyone. She was constantly offering her support and encouragement to fellow members of the groups and activities in which she participated. She graduated from Alleghany High School, in 1944. She did well in school and genuinely enjoyed telling stories in a way that drew people to her. In this way, Drucilla had a talent for becoming the center of attention, a kind of social catalyst. She was often found to be the lead person facilitating a group activity, frequently filling the role of being “the life of the party.” Teachers and classmates knew Drucilla as an excellent listener. She placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped waiting for her just around the corner.

On April 28, 1946 she married Howard McElroy. Compassionate and devoted, Drucilla worked hard to make her new family happy. By trusting her emotions, Drucilla did her best to make sure that both the marriage and home life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how Drucilla was truly a person of empathy.

Drucilla’s quality of being a caring and tolerant person who was very accepting of others translated to being a good mother to her children. Drucilla shared these values with her children. The three surviving children are, two sons, Howard "Mac" Jr., John "Jack" and one daughter, Catherine “Cati”. Drucilla was also blessed with grandchildren. The five surviving are, Bridget, Kyle, Christopher, Keely and Danielle. Drucilla related well to children of all ages and was able to connect to them on their level. The children always loved her and she was completely and totally devoted to them.

Drucilla experienced success in her work life over and over again. Her primary occupation was homemaker. She was employed during WWII at the Alleghany Ballistics Laboratory working on top secret technologies. Drucilla always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was well known by her colleagues as a team player. She took pride in managing her professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. Drucilla was one to take the initiative and her skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. Drucilla continually sought to learn what her co-workers did well and how they were most effective, a talent that enabled her to help them develop their own potential.

Because she was organized and methodical, Drucilla took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were gardening, painting, playing with her grandchildren and spiritual devotion through reading and prayer. Drucilla enjoyed sharing her passions with others and could singularly focus on one hobby at a time.

Drucilla was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite teams' events whenever she got the opportunity. Olympic figure skating was an event she enjoyed watching.

Throughout her life, Drucilla was actively involved in professional and community organizations. With a talent for focusing in on exactly what was required to be completed, Drucilla was known to her peers as being able to strengthen any group endeavor. When called on, she was a natural leader who created harmony and good relationships within the group, often putting her own needs aside. Drucilla’s involvement could easily help structure and organize any part of an organization. An added benefit was Drucilla’s ability to bring valued principles along with her. Throughout her later years, Drucilla was an active member of the Society of the Little Flower and she was an associate Sister of Mercy.

Always considered a “good” friend, Drucilla sought to understand the things that others enjoyed. For this reason Drucilla always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. Drucilla’s friends found her easy to know and get along with because of her talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in her dealings with others. Drucilla would always seek to learn what her friends enjoyed, and she would go out of her way to make sure that their needs were met. Drucilla was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, she sometimes felt ill at ease when she was the one on the receiving end. Throughout her life she had many friends. Debbie McCormick and Irene Tomczak held special places in her heart.

Drucilla’s faith was important to her. She was a Eucharistic Minister and spent most of her adult life witnessing and praising the word of the Lord. She was compassionate and warm hearted, someone who truly cared for others and that was clearly demonstrated in her work with the congregation. She was a member of St. Scholistica Parish for the last 10 years.

Though she never did anything solely for individual recognition, Drucilla was given accolades for her many and varied efforts throughout her life. If the truth were known, Drucilla was always a little uncomfortable with being singled out for recognition. Some of her most prestigious awards included "Grandmother Par Excellance", bestowed upon her by her loving grandchildren.

Drucilla enjoyed traveling, and because she was so well organized, she would take on the responsibility of planning and scheduling all of the family vacations. Her gift for keeping things lively meant that vacations with Drucilla were always enjoyable. Favorite vacations included camping with her family, especially trips to Canada and out west to South Dakota and Wyoming.

Drucilla was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. She always had at least one dog, and all were her favorites. Her family was rounded out by her parakeets when her children were young, and a couple of gerbils.

She may not have had a paying job, but she never quit helping others until she died. Being the focused and organized person that she was, Drucilla had taken care to plan for this part of her life. When that time eventually arrived, Drucilla knew exactly what she wanted to do. Even in retirement, Drucilla continued to stay in touch with her old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

Drucilla passed away on November 25, 2010, in her home surrounded by, and filled with love. Mom's peaceful surrender into God's care resulted from metastatic gastric cancer. She is survived by her children, Howard (Mac), John (Jack), Catherine (Cati), and grandchildren, Bridget, Kyle, Christopher, Keely and Danielle.

Throughout her life, Drucilla was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. She was imaginative, original, tender hearted and easy to get along with. Drucilla leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Drucilla McElroy.

A. Drucilla McElroy, nee Parish, age 84, beloved wife for 50 years of the late Howard; devoted mother of Howard “Mac” (Karen) McElroy, Jack “John” (Karen) McElroy and Catherine (Jerry) Heinrich; loving grandmother of Bridget, Kyle, Christopher, Keely and Danielle. Visitation Sunday 3-8 pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave., Lisle (on Rt. 53, ½ mile south of Ogden Ave. / Rt. 34) where funeral services will begin Monday 9:15 am and proceed to St. Scholastica Catholic Church for Mass at 10:00 am. Burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. To celebrate Drucilla’s life,

visit www.Blake-LambFuneralHome.com. For info, call 630-964-9392.