Saint Mary's Mourns Loss of Jerome L. McElroy, Professor of Economics

The following is a letter to alumnae sent by Vice President of College Relations Shari Rodriguez.

Economics professor Jerome L. McElroy entered his heavenly home on Wednesday morning, December 17, 2014. He was 77. Jerry was deeply invested in the life of the community at Saint Mary’s College. When asked what he wanted to tell his colleagues and students he said, “Tell them I loved them.”

Students, alumnae, and faculty loved him right back, as expressed by Saint Mary’s College President Carol Ann Mooney ’72. “Jerry was the consummate Saint Mary’s faculty member. A man of deep faith, this was not a job for Jerry, but a true vocation. He loved his students and colleagues and often demonstrated that love by sharing his beautiful poems with us. None of us will ever forget his warm smile and the countless contributions he made to generations of Saint Mary’s women.”

Jerry began teaching at Saint Mary’s College 32 years ago, in the fall of 1982, and he continued to teach through this fall semester. Jerry was honored with two faculty awards, which recognized his excellence in teaching, receiving the Maria Pieta Award in 1989 and the Spes Unica Award in 1997.

Jerry’s life will be celebrated on Monday, January 19 at the Church of Our Lady of Loretto on the campus. Visitation is at 5 p.m. and Mass is at 6 p.m.

Those wishing to share expressions of condolences with his wife, Birdie, may write her at their home, 2036 Portage Avenue, South Bend, IN 46616, or through email, birdiedesigns@yahoo.com. Memorial donations may be made to the Jerry McElroy Scholarship, c/o Saint Mary’s College, Donor Relations Office, 110 Le Mans Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana, 46556.

Jerry’s poetry works were often inspired by his strong faith. He carefully, lovingly, and elegantly retold stories of the Holy Family, saints, and parables. His readers appreciated the stories as if hearing them for the first time. Birdie gave us permission to share an excerpt of this poem from his chapbook Sacred Traces, published by Finishing Line Press.

Heaven

After the narrow passage
through the dark valley gorge
the blinding light surrounding Him
blew me back against my breath.

Like a Monet sunrise
blushing in the dawn
my eyes acclimatized
and slowly burned away the blur.

The closer I approached
the heat from His heart
the more weightless and fresh
my own flesh became.

Even on the outskirts I recognized
the passing of the saints
and the symphony of angels
till I was shaken, taken back again…

Please remember Birdie and their family in your prayers.

Sincerely,
Shari Rodriguez
Vice President for College Relations