Louise McNelly of St. Joseph, Michigan passed away at Caretel Inns St. Joseph on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the age of 95.
A celebration of Louise’s wonderful life will be held later in the Summer or Fall of 2024, with a Luncheon Reception to follow. The family requests any Memorial contributions be made to the Dowagiac Historical Museum or the Dowagiac Public Library. Arrangements were entrusted to Clark Chapel and Cremation Services –Starks Family Funeral Homes. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.clarkch.com
Louise was born on the Family Farm in Davis County, Iowa, on a snowy frigid winter day; February 16, 1929, to Wilbur Ross and Vera Larue (Stookesberry) McMains. Growing up in Bloomfield, IA, Louise attended Cottey College in Nevada, MO and graduated with a BS degree in Music Education from Northern Iowa University in Ames, IA. It was while at Northern Iowa, that Louise met George Winfield McNelly from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA at a YMCA Conference where Louise and George represented their individual colleges. It’s not a secret that Louise met her “Knight in Shining Armor” that weekend and fell in love! George and Louise married on August 20, 1950, and were together nearly 70 years before George died in July 2019 at 94 years of age.
Louise taught Music at the Elementary and High School levels while George pursued a Master’s degree and a PhD at Purdue University. She was his “Biggest Cheerleader” and even typed his lengthy PhD Thesis in Industrial Psychology on their old Smith-Corona typewriter that is still in our possession!
George was hired at Inland Steel Company in East Chicago, IN and there was soon a move to Hammond, IN. Louise was a busy Mother of the 1950’s with two children, Diane (1954) and Eric (1957). In 1961 a move to West Lafayette, IN, came about and Louise became “The Dean’s Wife”, as George returned to Academia and began a nearly 30-year career at Purdue University where he was Dean of the School of Technology. Louise focused her attention on being a Stay-at-Home Mother involved in P.T.A., Girl Scouts and being a Room Mother. Active in church at both First Presbyterian Church (Hammond, IN) and First Christian Church (Lafayette, IN), Louise sang in the choir, chaired committees, participated in Church Women Groups, and served as a Church Elder. She also was a Community Volunteer driving for Meals on Wheels and teaching English to Non-speakers at St. Thomas Aquinas on the Purdue Campus in West Lafayette, IN.
Both George and Louise were active in “All Things Purdue” from Alumni activities to Purdue Boilermaker Sporting events, as well as being Parlor Club Members of Lafayette, IN for nearly 25 years. Louise was a 75 Year member of P.E.O. and was a member of Chapter DV (St. Joseph, MI) where she had recently been honored at the State Convention for her lengthy membership. She even initiated her daughter into Chapter L (Lafayette, IN) back in 1972!
Louise was a Lover of the Arts. She and George were 25-year supporters of the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. When each grandchild turned 10 years of age and were “Double Digits”, they accompanied Weeze and Poppy to a Week of Theater at a Canadian Bed and Breakfast!!
A voracious reader, a supporter of the Arts, and a World Traveler, Louise was a wonderful friend, Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother. Louise always had a positive outlook, stayed current with World Events, had an encouraging word, a smile, a book to loan or suggest, a wise word of advice or wisdom to share, a hug, a conversation, or a favorite dark chocolate morsel to offer from Caruso’s Candy Shop in Dowagiac, MI. She was a joy to know!
Louise is survived by her children: Diane (David) McPherson and Eric (Julie) McNelly; Grandchildren Blayne Lawton (Natosha) McNelly and Elizabeth Anne (Fiancé Zubair Benyacoub) McPherson; Great-Grandchildren Jase Lawton McNelly and Warren Everett Winfield McNelly. She was preceded in death by her husband George Winfield McNelly and grandson Andrew Steven Ross McPherson.