Obituary for Margaret Mary (Robichaux) Elliott

Margaret Mary (Robichaux) Elliott, age 93, of Sylvania, Ohio and formerly of Ada, Ohio and Punta Gorda, Florida passed away peacefully on November 6, 2022. She was born on August 18, 1929, in Taft, Louisiana to Albert and Edna (Haydel) Robichaux.

Margaret was the oldest of five children. Her younger siblings Albert “Dennis,” Milton “Jackie,” and Joan preceded her in death. Her youngest brother, David Robichaux, survives in Mexico City, Mexico.

At the age of 16, Margaret attended nursing school. Tuition for the entire program was $72 and covered all three years of training, uniforms, room and board. In 1949 Margaret graduated, moved to Kansas to work as the head nurse at a small hospital before returning to New Orleans after one year. She worked as a nurse at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana and eventually was promoted to be head nurse of female orthopedics floor. As a member of the Charity Hospital Alumni, Margaret established a nursing scholarship in her name for future students.

It was at Charity Hospital that she met her future husband, Dr. Robert Elliott, who was also known to friends as “Jake.” The two were engaged in 1954 and married in Columbus, Ohio on August 26, 1954.

Margaret moved to her husband’s hometown of Ada, Ohio that year as her husband worked in a private practice with his dad, Dr. Floyd Elliott. They moved to Memphis, Tennessee but returned in 1959 when, once again, Dr. Bob needed to help his dad with the private practice. They were married for nearly 47 years when he preceded her in death in January 2001.

They had six children. Howard (Donna), Michael (Michele), Robert (Linda), Douglas (Jennifer), John (Melanie), and Joan (Michael). Their son Robert “Bruce” Elliott preceded them in death in 1993.

As the wife of a busy family physician, county coroner, school board member, and team doctor who loved his profession, Margaret was often single-handedly responsible for rearing their five sons and one daughter at home, maintaining the household, and answering the phone calls from her husband’s patients.

Margaret was an excellent cook and often made her family cajun cuisine from her beloved homestate. She made the best pies and eventually recommended just buying the pie crust because it was just as good and much easier. Margaret also loved to read, crochet, and play cards. She and her husband enjoyed traveling and took trips to Greece, Egypt, Australia, and New Zealand. She was honest, hardworking, funny, sassy, charitable, and loving.

In Ada, Margaret was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She was a member of PEO Chapter O and also volunteered for the Red Cross. Margaret could often be seen well into her 80’s in the early morning hours doing her daily 3 mile walk through town and then working out at Curves.

Margaret had ten grandchildren- Meredith, Kristin, Megan, Kyle, Austin, Matthew, Nathan, Andrew, Brennan, and William. She had four great grandchildren- Elliott, Jack, Caroline, and Zoey. She loved supporting her grandchildren at their athletic events. Margaret loved having her big family together for family dinners but would laugh and say that she also loved to see them go so she could enjoy some “peace and quiet.”  She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 11, 2022, at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada with Rev. Patrick Allen officiating.  Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2022, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday.