Mrs. Joan Audrey McElroy

Obituary for Joan McElroy McElroy, Joan Audrey – on Sunday, December 13, 2020. Beloved wife of Jim McElroy, Jr. (deceased), mother of Jim McElroy, 3rd (deceased) and mother-in-law of Mary McManus McElroy, grandmother of Matthew, Deirdre, James, and John, daughter of Matthew Norton Kelly (deceased) and Edith (Martin) Kelly (deceased), sister of Edith Kelly Collins (deceased), aunt to the “Collins Girls”: JeanMarie, Cathy, Maureen, Nancy, and Susan (deceased), welcomed member of the McManus Family, and cherished friend. Joan and her husband, Jim, built a happy life in Brooklyn and were lifelong Brooklynites, having come of age “When Brooklyn Was the World”. Joan was proud of keeping a home and building a family. Together she and Jim raised their son, Jim the 3rd, “Jimmy”. She was the encourager-in-chief, steadfastly supporting her husband and son in work, school, and dreams for the future. She made a loving home for her father after her mom died and maintained a long and close relationship with her sister-in-law, Patricia, who lived close by all these years. Absolutely delighted when her son married and began a family of his own, Joan and Jim were there for every milestone, and over-the- moon thrilled when they were blessed with grandchildren. Joan immediately became the cheerleader for each grandchild, closely following their activities and goings-on, coming to know their friends and friends’ parents when they saw them at basketball, softball, and soccer games. She spent a good amount of time in Springfield, NJ both in happy and sad times, especially when she helped with the grandchildren while her son was ill. Dear aunt to her sister Edie’s children, Joan sought to reflect the perspective of their Mom’s generation, using the shared memories of sisters growing up in a certain time in Brooklyn, NY, with her nieces as a small way to acknowledge their mom’s continued influence and love in their lives. A cherished friend, Joan was always out and about until her later years. She delighted in catching up with friends, many of whom were from early days and had remained in her life. Christmastime gatherings in the McElroy living room were a time-honored tradition. Perhaps the biggest gatherings of all were the Cadets Baseball dinners that she organized and worked with her husband, Jim. While Jim was the backbone of the Cadets Baseball organization, Joan was undisputedly its heart. Countless years were happily spent connecting coaches, Cadet Board members, league officials, and anyone who had a role in Cadets Baseball with Jim. She listened to all, made everyone know that they were important, functioned as the Secretary of the organization, and tirelessly troubleshot issues and encouraged Jim in managing it all. In a house full of heartfelt trophies, plaques, and commemorations for Jim, a number were in her name, as the Cadets and others, kindly recognized and celebrated her contributions. She was humbled and tickled at the tributes given to her by the Cadets Baseball organization at their most recent awards dinners after Jim’s passing. Joan knew that the Board of Directors, longtime coaches, and players’ moms, saw her and were genuinely glad and appreciative of her presence among them. So many of the Board members were close friends of Jim and Joan and most supportive and helpful to Joan. Our family is grateful for the love and support of Cadets Baseball. Perhaps Joan’s biggest contribution was the way she lived a faith forward life. From the Good Shepherd Home School Association to President of the Catholic Club, Choir Member, Eucharistic Minister, Prayer Group, and the Tuesday Ladies parish helpers, Joan was truly immersed in the local life of her church. More importantly, she lived her faith daily, truly believing and reminding us, that we are all in God’s Hands. Joan will be lovingly remembered for her unwavering support of family and friends, good humor, loyalty, and unshakeable faith in God and His abundant goodness.

Tributes

Mrs. Joan Audrey McElroy

March 20, 1932 - December 13, 2020