Margaret “Maggie” Gerlicher McElroy

Margaret “Maggie” Gerlicher McElroy, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many, died peacefully on September 16, 2026. Maggie lived an abundant life characterized by deep faith, loyalty to family and friendship, and an enduring commitment to making her community a better place.

Born November 16, 1943, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Robert Andrew and Catherine Stevens Gerlicher, Maggie graduated from University High School (Class of ‘61) and then Louisiana State University (Class of ‘65), where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta and the Scotch Guard, an honorary women’s organization on campus. During those years, she was introduced on a blind date to Thomas Earl “Tem” McElroy—a “Ramblin’ Wreck” from Georgia Tech whose slide rule and fast car apparently did not deter her.

Maggie and Tem married August 14, 1965. After time in Boston and Houston, they settled in Tem’s hometown of Shreveport, where they raised their family and became deeply involved in the civic, educational, social, and business life of the community. Opposites in many ways, they were united in their devotion to one another and were truly a dynamic duo. This played out in a variety of areas, but in their early days of Tem growing the family business, he leaned heavily on Maggie in the recruitment process of hiring key employees. She was also Tem’s “ghost writer” for any and every occasion. Family lore has it that Tem was accepted to Harvard Business School thanks to Maggie’s brilliant application essay contribution.

Maggie had an extraordinary gift for friendship. She loved welcoming newcomers, connecting people, and making others feel immediately at home. Her Christian faith was central to her life. Maggie and Tem joined St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in 1971 and she became very involved in the life of the church including Daughters of the King and the prayer team. Outside of St. Paul’s, Maggie actively participated in Bible Study Fellowship as well a very special prayer group of women. She was one of its earliest members and as her dear friend Pam describes it, “We stormed heaven together on behalf of our friends and family for nearly 40 years!”

Service was another hallmark of Maggie’s life. A longtime member and Sustainer of the Junior League of Shreveport, she was named its 2019 Sustainer of the Year. She also served or volunteered with numerous educational, cultural, and charitable organizations, including the Strand Theatre, Sci-Port Discovery Center, Women’s Philanthropy Network, Samaritan Counseling Center, and Robinson Film Center.

Education held a special place in Maggie’s heart. As a C. E. Byrd High School PTA president and passionate advocate for the school and its magnet program, she worked with parents, alumni, and community leaders during a critical period in Byrd’s history. Former principal Lynn Fitzgerald credited Maggie among those instrumental in “keeping the Hive alive.”

Maggie also knew how to have fun. She loved arranging flowers, playing tennis with her “Giggle Tennis” group, hiking and snow skiing with her family and friends in Crested Butte, and she especially delighted in slalom water skiing, which she continued into her early 70s. Countless family members and friends learned—or attempted to learn—to ski during McElroy weekends on Lake Hamilton, Lake Bistineau, and Cross Lake. She was equally enthusiastic about nutrition and was known to consult her treasured Prescription for Nutritional Healing for whatever might ail you. Good friends often received their own copy. Complementary to that, Prayers That Availeth Much was another favorite. Maggie was the kind of friend who didn’t just say she would pray for you; she would often stop and pray for you in the moment, using specific scriptures to guide her prayers so as to point others (herself included!) to God’s faithful promises.

Maggie was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Gretchen Bell. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Tem; daughter Lauren McElroy Browning and husband John; son Ian McElroy and wife Karen; grandchildren John Caleb Browning Jr., Lily Margaret Browning, Joshua Campbell Browning, Catherine Ellen McElroy, and Cecilia Lauren McElroy; step-grandchildren Caroline, Camille, and Collier Hannigan; brother- and sister-in-law Jim and Dee McElroy; nieces Rhonda Bell, Cheryl LoCicero, and Susanna Cobb; nephews James “Cam” McElroy, and Thomas “Thad” McElroy, and many other beloved relatives and friends.

Maggie had many cute nicknames (too many to name here), but those who knew Maggie will remember her energy and determination, but most of all her generosity of spirit. When someone needed an advocate or prayer warrior, she was there. When a community needed rallying, she rallied it. When a friend needed welcoming, she opened the door.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Maggie’s longtime caregivers, Amanda Johnson, Carla Cash, Kathryn Beaird and Carolyn Martin and many others from Professional Sitter Services; Staff of Lifepath Hospice Care Services; her MVP therapists, Lance Tucker, Heather Louma, Sara Balch and Stacy Carpenter; and her “special forces” team, Judy Day, Anne Vickers, Ken Honaker and “Old Faithful” Floyd Holmes.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to C. E. Byrd High School’s Alumni Association or anything promoting education in Caddo Parish, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or the charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, September 28, 2026 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 275 Southfield., Shreveport, Louisiana, officiated by Father Michael Cannon. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport, Louisiana.

There was a phrase among those who knew her that said it best: “Maggie McElroy—enough said.”