Barbara Jane Heilshorn McElroy

Former Southold, N.Y., resident Barbara Jane Heilshorn McElroy of Atkinson, N.H., passed away Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. She was 85.

Barbara was born Aug. 3, 1936, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of George H. Heilshorn Sr. and Antoinette (Beckmann) Heilshorn. Her family moved to Amityville, N.Y., where she attended St. Martin School and Amityville High School. She graduated from Adelphi University, where she was an Eastern Collegiate Tennis finalist in 1956 and captain of the women’s basketball team.

Barbara married Eugene D. McElroy in 1958 and lived in West Islip, N.Y., before moving to their permanent home in Southold, in 1972.

Barbara, predeceased by her husband, Eugene, in 1985, is survived by her four children, Mary Terry (Kevin), AnneMarie Bartley, George McElroy and Gerard McElroy (Sharon); her grandchildren, Rachel and Kevin Terry, Catherine, Stephen, Julia, John and David McElroy, and Cameron Bartley; and her great-granddaughters, Isabel, Giovanna, Brianna and Soleil.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents; her brother, George Sr.; and her sister-in-law, Joyce Stromberg.

Barbara was a devout Catholic who above all loved God and her family. She loved to play tennis and watch the Grand Slams up until she passed, garden and bird watch. She loved seeing God reflected in the beauty of Mother Nature.

Barbara was a lifelong member of the Miraculous Medal Association and St. Patrick’s parish while living in Southold.

A private funeral Mass at St. Patrick’s R.C. Church and burial at St. Patrick’s Cemetery were held Aug. 21.

The family asks that any donations go to Barbara’s favorite charities: Mercy Ships (www.mercyships.org) and Catholic Near East Welfare Association (www.cnewa.org).

DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold assisted the family.

This is a paid notice.