Heather Jean McElroy

SOUTHBRIDGE - Heather Jean (Smolenski) McElroy, 60, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Residence in Worcester. She is survived by three children, Maggie McElroy, Michael McElroy, and Matthew McElroy, all of Worcester; her sister, Holly Smolenski; her “adoptive father” John Schmeelk of Virginia; her dearest friends, Marie Stellato, Karen Norrman, and Marlene Gondek; as well as many beloved relatives, friends, and clients. She was predeceased by a brother, Stephen Smolenski who died in 2021.

She was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Steven B. and Barbara V. (Coutermarsh) Smolenski, and was raised in Charlton before spending the later years of her life in Southbridge. She graduated from Shepherd Hill Regional High School in 1983, received an associate’s degree from Becker Junior College in 1986, and later graduated from the Bancroft School of Massage.

Ms. McElroy owned and operated Personal Touch Medical Massage in Worcester for 23 years. She was passionate about scrapbooking and attended many scrapbooking weekends. She volunteered at LifeChurch in Webster, St. Roch’s Church in Oxford, prepared community meals, and taught English as a second language for WARM in Worcester. She traveled throughout the United States and the world, and her most memorable trips were to Italy and Virginia. Her greatest joy was helping others and she will be remembered as a generous woman with a big heart.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 17, 2025, at LifeChurch, 1 Nelson St, Webster. Burial will be held privately at West Ridge Cemetery in Charlton. Heather’s favorite color was blue, and in her honor, those attending are requested to wear something blue.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/The Jimmy Fund in Memory of Heather McElroy, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, or online at Danafarber.org/gift

Paradis-Givner Funeral Home is directing the arrangements.