Obituary for Melinda Fischer McElroy
Beloved mother and grandmother, Melinda Fischer McElroy, 79, of Deephaven Minnesota, passed away
peacefully with family by her side on Sunday, January 1, 2023. Melinda was born on May 12th, 1943, in
Detroit Michigan to parents Robert Wilson and Irma (Regentik) Schulkins. She is survived by her sons
Carl Robert (Vickie) McElroy and Hugh Clifford (Sandy) McElroy, brothers Robert Wilson II (Denise)
Schulkins and Hugh Angus (Ann) Schulkins, their families, and her most treasured granddaughter
Catherine Alexandra McElroy.
Melinda was a devout nature lover finding beauty in the smallest of God’s creatures to the tallest of
trees. Beyond her formal education she was a voracious reader and a lifelong learner who pursued
knowledge to her last day. Language was a passion that she loved to share. She was fluent in Russian
and was casually proficient in three other languages. She ensured that her family was exposed to the
arts; the brilliance of theatre, architecture, the wonders held within museums, not to mention the
worlds cuisine. Melinda had a full career in the healthcare field after raising her children and was always
supportive of family business endeavors being involved in numerous transactions as both advisor and
investor.
A most admirable trait, Melinda was always present and attentive no matter how large or small the
subject or situation, devoted to anyone who was in need. During her 79 years, Melinda had a zest for
life and adventure being a very confident inaugural passenger and subsequent co-pilot on many crosscountry flights. She demonstrated resilience in the face of life’s numerous challenges to say the least.
Melinda made God, her family, and her country a top priority each day and her endurance, strength and
patriotism will be forever missed.
The family is grateful for the thoughts and prayers as we travel through this window of time. If anyone
wishes to share a heartfelt gesture, we kindly ask to celebrate Melinda’s life by choosing a donation in
her name. Melinda’s preferred charities are, The Heritage Foundation (heritage.org), The Humane
Society of America (humanesociety.org), The National Rifle Association (home.nra.org), Minnesota Zoo
(mnzoo.org), Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org) and the St. Jude Children’s Hospital (stjude.org)
Family and friends should anticipate a celebration of life to be held this summer for Melinda.
If you wish to be included in the gathering please respond to this correspondence at your convenience
and we will ensure that all information is exchanged once a time and date have been finalized.
robinsonsbay1@gmail.com
The McElroy Family
There are a few things that we will always share
I’ll never be far, I’ll always be right there!
So let’s run to the beach and play in the sand
Then lay on our backs to get a rich tan
Let’s get out the bikes or go for that run
The wind in our hair and the air in our lungs
When you sow a great garden, and the tomatoes are all ripe
I’ll be right there with you to savor a bite
I’ve always loved trees so let’s find a great one to climb
We’ll give it a name and watch it grow over time
Let’s lay on a big rock under a deep blue sky
To listen and watch as the birds soar steadily by
Let’s watch a good movie or dance to a song
We can cherish the moments both simple, some long
With each cast you make – I will pray and I’ll wish
For another good fight, for another big fish
Way back in the woods, let’s build a great fort
We’ll lash up some logs, even make a front door
Not far from the fort will assemble a spectacular fire
To roast some marshmallows and laugh before we retire
We’ll sit at the lake to enjoy the sunsets
While dreaming of new plans for a day, that hasn’t begun quite yet
When the summer winds down and the leaves begin to shutter
We’ll crunch as we walk, we’ll drink up all the color
The seasons will change from Summer to snow
So, let’s put on some skis and get ready to go
Then the seasons will change from snow into Spring
And the flowers will grow tall to stir up the rain
And when the rain pours down, we will tuck in tight
With a good book, cup of tea and a cat on the right
We’ll go for an evening walk down a winding dirt road
Accompanied by our yellow dog, his heart made of gold
And when the play is all done and there is work to be had
I’ll give you the strength, I’ll lend you my hand
And late at night when you’re deep in a sleep, we’ll travel the stars and possibly meet
I’ll see you there with arms opened up, we’ll share an embrace – you will know that you are loved!
HCM
peacefully with family by her side on Sunday, January 1, 2023. Melinda was born on May 12th, 1943, in
Detroit Michigan to parents Robert Wilson and Irma (Regentik) Schulkins. She is survived by her sons
Carl Robert (Vickie) McElroy and Hugh Clifford (Sandy) McElroy, brothers Robert Wilson II (Denise)
Schulkins and Hugh Angus (Ann) Schulkins, their families, and her most treasured granddaughter
Catherine Alexandra McElroy.
Melinda was a devout nature lover finding beauty in the smallest of God’s creatures to the tallest of
trees. Beyond her formal education she was a voracious reader and a lifelong learner who pursued
knowledge to her last day. Language was a passion that she loved to share. She was fluent in Russian
and was casually proficient in three other languages. She ensured that her family was exposed to the
arts; the brilliance of theatre, architecture, the wonders held within museums, not to mention the
worlds cuisine. Melinda had a full career in the healthcare field after raising her children and was always
supportive of family business endeavors being involved in numerous transactions as both advisor and
investor.
A most admirable trait, Melinda was always present and attentive no matter how large or small the
subject or situation, devoted to anyone who was in need. During her 79 years, Melinda had a zest for
life and adventure being a very confident inaugural passenger and subsequent co-pilot on many crosscountry flights. She demonstrated resilience in the face of life’s numerous challenges to say the least.
Melinda made God, her family, and her country a top priority each day and her endurance, strength and
patriotism will be forever missed.
The family is grateful for the thoughts and prayers as we travel through this window of time. If anyone
wishes to share a heartfelt gesture, we kindly ask to celebrate Melinda’s life by choosing a donation in
her name. Melinda’s preferred charities are, The Heritage Foundation (heritage.org), The Humane
Society of America (humanesociety.org), The National Rifle Association (home.nra.org), Minnesota Zoo
(mnzoo.org), Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org) and the St. Jude Children’s Hospital (stjude.org)
Family and friends should anticipate a celebration of life to be held this summer for Melinda.
If you wish to be included in the gathering please respond to this correspondence at your convenience
and we will ensure that all information is exchanged once a time and date have been finalized.
robinsonsbay1@gmail.com
The McElroy Family
There are a few things that we will always share
I’ll never be far, I’ll always be right there!
So let’s run to the beach and play in the sand
Then lay on our backs to get a rich tan
Let’s get out the bikes or go for that run
The wind in our hair and the air in our lungs
When you sow a great garden, and the tomatoes are all ripe
I’ll be right there with you to savor a bite
I’ve always loved trees so let’s find a great one to climb
We’ll give it a name and watch it grow over time
Let’s lay on a big rock under a deep blue sky
To listen and watch as the birds soar steadily by
Let’s watch a good movie or dance to a song
We can cherish the moments both simple, some long
With each cast you make – I will pray and I’ll wish
For another good fight, for another big fish
Way back in the woods, let’s build a great fort
We’ll lash up some logs, even make a front door
Not far from the fort will assemble a spectacular fire
To roast some marshmallows and laugh before we retire
We’ll sit at the lake to enjoy the sunsets
While dreaming of new plans for a day, that hasn’t begun quite yet
When the summer winds down and the leaves begin to shutter
We’ll crunch as we walk, we’ll drink up all the color
The seasons will change from Summer to snow
So, let’s put on some skis and get ready to go
Then the seasons will change from snow into Spring
And the flowers will grow tall to stir up the rain
And when the rain pours down, we will tuck in tight
With a good book, cup of tea and a cat on the right
We’ll go for an evening walk down a winding dirt road
Accompanied by our yellow dog, his heart made of gold
And when the play is all done and there is work to be had
I’ll give you the strength, I’ll lend you my hand
And late at night when you’re deep in a sleep, we’ll travel the stars and possibly meet
I’ll see you there with arms opened up, we’ll share an embrace – you will know that you are loved!
HCM