Eleanor Henry McCurley

Ellie McCurley died peacefully at her Rockville, MD home surrounded by family.

Born in Philadelphia to William Henry and Marie Conn Henry, Eleanor was the youngest of four children. Ellie was preceded in death by her brother William Henry, Jr. and her two sisters, Rosalie Hieronimus, and Sr. Marita William, IHM. After graduating from St. Hubert's High School, she earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Immaculata College. Later she worked at Hahnemann Medical College where she met a student, William (Mac) McCurley. After Mac completed medical school and accepted his commission in the Navy, they married and began their journey in the U.S. Navy Medical Corp.

Through the 1960s, Ellie and Mac's journey brought them three children, seven homes and six duty stations before their 1971 transfer to Bethesda Naval Hospital and move into the wonderful community of Rockville. Ellie created a home for her growing family, joining St. Mary's church and enrolling her children at the St. Mary's school. This started a 50-year relationship with the church where she was involved in sodality, holiday craft bazaars, and Catholic education. Her volunteer efforts included working at the Rockville Pregnancy Center and Senior Center. Ellie also started a small business with a close friend selling craftwork items through craft shows and consignment shops. Later, she was the office manager for Mac's Child and Adolescent Psychiatry practice in Shady Grove.

Upon retirement, Ellie and Mac enjoyed their seasonal home in Havre de Grace, MD where they spent time boating, relaxing and entertaining friends and family. Retirement provided them with time to visit their grandchildren and Ellie became active in her Homemakers, Needlework and Quilting groups. Mac's untimely death in 2006 at 69 years old did not dissuade Ellie from continuing to live life to the fullest. She spent considerable time visiting with her sister Rosalie and nieces and nephews in New Jersey; watching her grandchildren in Maryland and Connecticut play sports and perform in the arts; and creating beautiful quilts for her loved ones.

Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2011, Ellie managed the symptoms with the help of a great team of doctors that turned every stone to find effective treatments. Sadly, that battle has come to an end. Ellie passed peacefully at home surrounded by her children, Tom McCurley (Lisa) of Fairfield, CT; Anne Marie Hines (Dwayne) of Keedysville, MD; and Mike McCurley of Rockville, MD. She will be deeply missed and remembered lovingly by her grandchildren Kimberly (Paul), Michael (Whitney), Erin (Matt), Matthew, Colleen, Clare and Sean. Ellie joyfully celebrated being a great-grandmother to Rory and eagerly anticipated the arrival of two more great-grandbabies in the coming months.

The family wishes to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude to the exceptional staff on the Oncology team at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and at NIH. Their care during Ellie's journey was compassionate and effective.

For those who wish to express sympathy, please consider making a donation in Ellie's name to Immaculata University www.immaculata.edu/or the Rockville Women's Centerhttp://rockvillewomenscenter.com/

Visitation will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 520 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, MD, from 6:30-8:30 pm on Wednesday, October 5 where Mass of Christian burial will begin at 10:00 am at St. Mary's on Thursday, October 6. Burial at St. Mary's Cemetery1350 Baltimore RoadRockville, MD to follow.