Evelyn May McElroy

Evelyn M. McElroy, 84, of Baltimore, MD and Bradenton, FL, passed away on March 23, 2024, at Franklin Square Medical Center. Born July 24, 1939, in Denver, Colorado, she was the daughter of the late George Everett Tucker and Ora May Hill Tucker. She was the beloved wife of the late Paul D. McElroy.

Evelyn grew up in Littleton, Colorado. She enjoyed summer vacations on her grandparents’ ranch in Larkspur, Colorado, where she recalled helping with a cattle roundup. Evelyn always loved meeting people and in high school was proud to work the soda fountain at the Littleton Drug Store on Main Street. She graduated from Colorado University in Denver with a nursing degree. Evelyn married Paul McElroy in 1962. They moved to Baltimore, MD where she earned her PhD from the University of Maryland and became a professor of psychiatric nursing at the University of Maryland. She also worked for the National Institute for Mental Health conducting evaluations of psychiatric facilities. She was active in mental health advocacy and was a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). In addition, she co-authored a book entitled, Children and Adolescents with Mental Illness: A Parents Guide. After retirement, she enjoyed dividing her time between Bradenton, FL and Baltimore, MD. Evelyn loved going out with friends, dining at nice restaurants, and shopping for clothes and home décor. She was a devoted grandmother who always showed her love by cooking meals and helping out driving her grandsons to sporting events, practices, and camps when they were younger. She encouraged and supported her children and grandchildren with their education and was a wonderful role model. Evelyn always thought of others and never let someone’s birthday pass without remembering them with a card, dinner and cake.

Evelyn is survived by daughter Denise McElroy of Baltimore MD, daughter Colleen McElroy and her husband Charles Aler of Westminster MD, grandson Ryan Aler, grandson Paul Aler, sister Shirley Terry of Centennial CO, nephew Douglas Terry, and niece Cheri Brunvand. Evelyn was predeceased by her brother-in-law William Terry.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects during the visitation on Sunday, April 7, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Ruck Funeral Home, located at 1050 York Rd, Towson, MD 21204. The funeral service will commence at 4:00pm.

A visitation and graveside service will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary and Cemetery beginning at 2:00, 6601 S. Colorado Blvd, Centennial CO 80121.