Patricia L. “Patsy” McElmeel, 54, of Phoenix, Arizona, formerly of Dubuque, died Tuesday, January 23, 2018.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 1 at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Ghost Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, January 31 at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 John F. Kennedy Road, where a scripture wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Patsy was born on February 2, 1963 in Dubuque, Iowa the daughter of Gerald and Bonita “Bonnie” (Becker) Roussel.

She married her high school sweetheart, Scott McElmeel on October 3, 1992.

After graduating from Clarke College in Dubuque, she went on to receive her master’s degree as an Adult Nurse Practitioner from Arizona State University.

Patsy was a devoted and skilled Registered Nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Arizona for 23 years before taking her current position a Nurse Practitioner at Phoenix Heart Center. With her warm smile and caring manner, Patsy was a valued colleague and friend to many. Her gentle nature and cheerful demeanor resonated deeply with patients and helped to put them at ease during their appointments. In her time with the Phoenix Heart Center Cardiology Group she quickly distinguished herself with her skill set and clinical care.

For the past 22 years, Patsy was involved with the Phoenix College Cardiac Fitness & Senior Wellness. A wellness program she was especially passionate about, providing cardiac assessments and other key preventive tests to keep members healthy and achieve longevity.
Patsy was a 2015 recipient of the IASIS Chairman’s Award, which recognizes employees who go above and beyond the scope of their job to make a positive and lasting impact on their community. Her accomplishments also include being a co-author and having been published in Critical Care Nurse magazine.

Patsy’s willingness to serve led her on several mission trips to Mexico. She and her team provided free medical care in poor and vulnerable communities. She was a Site Steward for the Arizona State Parks and a member of the Catholic Order of Forester.

Patsy cherished time spent with her family and friends. She enjoyed traveling, camping and hiking with her husband, cooking and entertaining, and shopping trips.

Patsy had a strong faith and a big heart. She had a passion to help others by improving health and wellness. Her legacy will live on through the many lives she touched.

She is survived by her husband, Scott; father and mother, Gerald and Bonnie Roussel; siblings, Julie (Bill) Reichle, Bill (Rose) Roussel, Linda (Rick) Rogers, Joe (Deanne) Roussel, and Jane Roussel; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jill (Perry) Henkes, Terry (Tricia) McElmeel, Tim McElmeel, Jay (Pam) McElmeel, and Jeff (Stacie) McElmeel; numerous nieces and nephews; and God children.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father-in-law, Robert and Judy McElmeel.

Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.