Nancy McElroy

Nancy Jo McElroy unexpectedly went to be with her heavenly father on Thursday, March 26, 2015 after a brief illness while visiting her daughter in Arizona. Nancy Jo, the eldest of three daughters, was born September 14, 1937 to Ernest and Helen Nelson in O'Neill, Nebraska. After growing up in Denver, she graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder with a teaching degree. She would later complete her Master's degree with a specialty in Montessori Education. Following college, Nancy Jo moved to Montana and married LeRoy Clark. They were blessed with four sons and a daughter. This marriage ended in 1977. She was married to Joe McElroy from 1978 through 1987. Following her divorce from Joe, she met the love of her life T J Miller, with whom she spent the rest of her life. Shortly after moving to Montana, Nancy Jo, discovered her true calling to teach young people. This calling lasted over 50 years, the last 43 as the owner of the first ever Montessori school in Montana (Billings). In addition to teaching and managing the affairs of the school, she also found time to pursue a successful family counseling career. Her ability to positively touch so many lives culminated in her being named YWCA Woman of The Year in 1993. Nancy Jo was also active in her prayer groups, juvenile court rehabilitation programs, and numerous philanthropic projects. Nancy Jo was preceded in death by her parents, her two former husbands, her two sisters and her eldest son Todd. She is survived by the true love of her life, T J Miller, her son Robert (Hillari) Clark of Houston TX, her son Mark (Audrey) Clark of Billings, her son Guy Clark of Billings, her daughter Hallie (Mike) Schauer of Sheridan Wyoming, and six grandchildren. Nancy Jo dedicated her life to helping others. She will be missed by so many and remembered for the way she always found a way to say a kind word or offer encouragement to anyone she came in contact with.