Virginia B. Mcelyea

Dr. Virginia B. McElyea (nee Breazeale), 69, of Scottsdale, passed away on Saturday, March 25th 2017, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Virginia was born and raised in Tennessee to the late Hugh and Mrytle (Siler) Breazeale, both natives of Tennessee. After graduating from Oak Ridge High School in 1965, she went on to receive her bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee in 1969. It was there that she met the love her life, David McElyea. She continued her education and received two master's degrees and a doctoral degree in curriculum and supervision from the University of Georgia in 1984. That same year, Virginia, David, and their son Alex moved west after she accepted a position as an assistant superintendent of the Paradise Valley School District, in Phoenix, AZ. Virginia went on to successfully hold various leadership positions within the Phoenix Union School District and the Deer Valley Unified School District, where in 2009 she received the prestigious award of Arizona State Superintendent of the Year. For the last 6 years, Virginia was the Executive Director of the Teacher Incentive Fund Grant at Arizona State University. She retired in December 20...[more]

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Virginia will be remembered for her many achievements, and for the positive and profound impact she left on the educational community. Virginia enjoyed traveling, taking many memorable trips abroad with David and Alex, and with many of her friends. More recently she enjoyed taking trips to see her grandson Colin race his bike all over the country. She was predeceased by her husband David E. McElyea to whom she was married for 41 years; she is survived by her son David "Alex" McElyea and daughter-in-law LeAnn (Richards); her beloved grandson Colin; her brother James Breazeale; nephew Brenden Breazeale; niece Ashley Foster. Memorial Service to celebrate Virginia's life will be held on Thursday, April 6th, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. at Hansen Desert Hills Memorial Park, 6500 East Bell Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to: The Virginia and David McElyea Scholarship Fund c/o Deer Valley Education Foundation 20402 N. 15th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85027. Please visit www.hansenmortuary.com for online condolences.