The many sentiments expressed in this issue in the wake of Cathy McElroy’s death can’t begin to tell her life story, but Kit Webster artfully depicts her love of West Lake Hills in a letter to the editor on Page 5. As one of her colleagues during McElroy’s 12-year tenure on the West Lake Hills City Council, Webster was able to paint a picture with words of the complex person who served her city with all of the passion she could muster.

McElroy came to the City Council just prior to one of the most heated battles in the city’s history against The Village at Westlake shopping center developers. She stayed on the City Council for a decade after the fight resulted in an unusually landscape-screened shopping center in hope of preserving as much of the city as possible that is beautifully green. She did a remarkable job of it. She played a key role in encouraging her fellow council members to use native landscaping for screening, be tolerant of deer and adhere closely to the city’s master plan. Her goal was clearly centered around preserving the unique rural quality of the city, despite it being only 10 minutes from the Texas Capitol.

To say that she loved animals is a gross understatement. Those fortunate enough to be offered eggs from her estate where she raised chickens and had a wide variety of other animals could likely count themselves among her friends, because she wouldn’t just give them away to just anyone.

Reporters and editors at the Picayune could always count on McElroy for statements laced with honest candor. She recently called to suggest one of us here write a book about all of the fascinating characters in West Lake Hills history. When told that it could result in a lawsuit that we may not be able to fight, she replied: “Heck, I might just write it myself.” I’m sorry she didn’t get the opportunity, because she likely had some stories to tell in her own unique way that would have made for an interesting read. This newspaper is among those in this community who will miss her and remember her fondly. She was one of a kind.