Mary Helen McElroy (Swanson)

SIOUX CITY -- Mary Helen McElroy, 80, of Sioux City died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, at her son's residence in Sioux City following complications from brain cancer. Mary Helen suffered only briefly and passed into heaven with all 11 of her children by her side.

Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with the Rev. Merlin J. Schrad officiating and the Rev. Richard D. Ball as homilist. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday with the family present at Larkin Northside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. A rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home by representatives of the Bishop Heelan Catholic School System and Trinity Heights organization. A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Mary Helen was born Jan. 19, 1929 in Sioux City, the daughter of O. Henry and Helen Ann (Smith) Swanson. She attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary School, Cathedral High School and graduated from Briar Cliff College in 1951 with a bachelor of music degree. She married Terence McElroy, an Irish immigrant, on Aug. 30, 1952 at Blessed Sacrament Church. He passed away May 31, 1986 in Sioux City.

Mary Helen was a musician and music teacher. She taught music at the Liberty School and at St. Michael's Catholic School in South Sioux City. Mary Helen also taught music to the nurses in training at both St. Joseph and St. Vincent Schools of Nursing. She played the piano at the S.S. Kresge Store, as well as playing the organ at many Siouxland churches for many choirs.

Mary Helen was a life-long resident of Sioux City. She was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church and the Blessed Sacrament Confraternity. Mary Helen was a supporter of the Queen of Peace and Trinity Heights organizations. She played the organ at the Latin Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of the Epiphany. Mary Helen was a supporter of the La Leche League. She was a member of the Siouxland Women's Chorus. Mary Helen thrived by passing her love of music on to children through piano lessons.

Survivors include five sons and their wives, Jim and Di McElroy of Johnston, Iowa, Terry and Kris McElroy of Sioux City, John and Marci McElroy of Omaha, Neb., Patrick and Teresa McElroy of Sioux City, and Dan and Leann McElroy of West Des Moines, Iowa; six daughters and their husbands, Mary and David Bishop of Sioux City, Eileen and Ken Friedmann of Sioux City, Ann and Mike Meier of Sioux City, Katie and Ron Demers of Sioux City, Helen and Randy Clymer of Bourbonnais, Ill., and Maureen and Dennis Van Meter of Clive, Iowa; 30 grandchildren and their spouses, Matt Clymer and his wife Andrea; Josh Clymer and his wife Kelli; Patrick, Ella, and Abby Demers; Ashley, Haley, Brett, and Camdyn Meier; Grace, Erin, Emma, and Claire McElroy; Riley and Madeline McElroy; Allie and Mollie Friedmann; Zach and Nick Van Meter; Megan Bishop; Sarah Bishop and her fiance Michael Kallal; Brianne Tysdahl and her husband Chad; Beth McElroy; Lisa McElroy and her husband Angel Perez; Josh McElroy and his

fiance Laura Rickert, Kevin McElroy and Hanna McElroy; and Shari, Kali, and Bridget McElroy; three great-grandchildren; and close friends Phil Kevane of Sioux City and Mary Elaine O'Hara of Sioux City.

Mary Helen was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons Matt and Josh Clymer, Josh and Kevin McElroy and Zach and Nick Van Meter.

Memorials may be directed to the Bishop Heelan Catholic School System.