Barbara Nell Mcelhiney, D.D.S.

Dr. Barbara Nell McElhiney D.D.S., 65, was born on July 17, 1954 in Elyria, Ohio to Geraldine Perkins McElhiney and Jack Chandler McElhiney. She passed away on February 8, 2020 surrounded by loving family. She graduated from Broad Ripple High School, Indiana University, (B.S. and M.S.) and the Indiana University School of Dentistry. Dr. McElhiney completed an emergency dental medicine fellowship at Providence Hospital, Providence RI, eventually returning to the Indianapolis area in 1991 to open a dental practice in Greenwood, IN; she retired due to health problems in 2011. While in practice she volunteered her expertise as a dentist with Gennesaret Free Clinic and Ambassadors for Children in the Dominican Republic.
Barb loved her family and animals, particularly elephants and the numerous cats who shared her life through the years. She enjoyed traveling, especially trips to Key West, FL. She was a life-long Democrat and a professed ‘political junkie.’ She loved watching re-runs of “Seinfield” and “Friends,” early morning coffee with her best friend Julie at Hubbard & Cravens, pizza and chocolate chip cookies. In the past few years serious health problems and terrible pain challenged her grace and good humor but her strength and courage were an inspiration to those who knew and loved her and will continue to inspire us. May light perpetual shine upon her.
She is survived by brother Jack Christopher McElhiney (Mary Pat); niece Meaghan Kathleen McElhiney Neman (Paul); nephews Matthew Christopher McElhiney (Lindsey), Larry David McElhiney, Daniel Clayton McElhiney, and Jeffrey Allen McElhiney (Liz); great nephews Jack Robert Neman and Conor Martin McElhiney;
best friend Julie Marsh, beloved cat Oreo and longtime companion
Jane A Root PhD. She was predeceased by father Jack Chandler McElhiney, mother Geraldine Perkins McElhiney and brother Larry David McElhiney (Charlene).
A celebration of her life to honor her courage, her friendship and her contributions to the health of many grateful patients will be held Sunday, August 16 from 2:00-4:00 PM in the Lodge at The Willows. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to Gennesaret Free Clinics, 615 N. Alabama St. Indianapolis IN 46204 (www.gennesaret.org) ; NeuroHope Wellness, 6002 Sunnyside Rd., Indianapolis 46236 (www.neurohopewellness.org); or the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus, P.O. Box 414, Indianapolis 46206-0414 (www.indianapolismenschorus.org )