Marguerite Ann Dowd McElroy left her pain behind on June 20th 2025. Her heart quietly stopped beating somewhere around one o'clock in the morning… But to anyone who knew her, who could blame it for being tired. It had spent decades beating, not just for her, but for everyone she met.

It beat for her family; the ones connected by blood and those bound by love. Her children, her grandchildren, her great- grandchildren, her sisters and brothers, nephews and nieces. And she made sure they knew it as often as possible.

It beat for her friends. Those close in distance and years and those separated by both. Those who shared years with her and those she met in the places she lived before she left. Those she spoke to every day and those she only thought of and prayed for often. And she did. If you knew her, know that your name was on her lips constantly in prayer.

It beat for her church. The people who ministered to her and the countless people to whom she was minister, mentor, teacher, and always friend. Her faith was a rock and a rudder that helped steady and guide her and many others.

It beat for those in need and in pain; the people she touched through her charity work and service. The people to whom she was always ready to lend strength, even when she was weak. She gave without being asked… or asking for any recognition or reward.

It beat for so many others…but now it is still. Now she can rest and trust that her work, her "good and faithful" work, was done with its every beat.

She is survived, and will be remembered by, everyone who knew her; some who only survived because of her and some who will struggle to survive without her. She has been awaited by many more who went ahead.

Per her wishes, she has been returned to ashes.

Her family would ask that you not send flowers. She never looked for or asked for hers in life. Instead, we ask that you make a donation to St. Croix Hospice in Racine, Wisconsin whose staff were so kind and caring to her in her last days or to Gulf Coast Kids' House in Pensacola, Florida, an organization she cared for and gave to of her time, energy, and love, Or better yet, follow her example and give your time, energy, and love to a charitable organization near you. Let your heart beat for others in her honor.

"For the worker, and the warrior, the lover and the liar. For the native and the wanderer in time.

For the maker and the user, the mother and her son. I am looking for my family and all of you are mine" (Excerpt from "I Want To Live" found amongst her poems).

A memorial visitation will be held from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Friday, August 22, 2025 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. A graveside service will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.