In Memoriam: Jean Elliott ’54 and Nancy Needy ’55

The Scarborough Society of Shepherd University suffered the loss of two of its board members in spring of 2017. Jean Elliott ’54, who had served on the board since the group’s inception in 2002, and Nancy Needy ’55, who joined the board in 2016, were both valued members of the Society.

Jean Elliott served as a librarian at Shepherd for almost 40 years after majoring in education at Shepherd and receiving her master’s degree in library science from Syracuse University. Elliott started off in a small space at Knutti Hall before moving to the new library building, which was built in the mid-1960s. She also served as treasurer of the Shepherd University Alumni Association for 19 years, along with her duties as librarian.

In a 2014 interview, Elliott praised the importance of the Scarborough Society. “It puts the message of the library in front of people and financially supports technology and other programs that might not be available otherwise,” she said.

Although Nancy Needy didn’t serve on the Scarborough Society Board for long, she was still an asset to the group and to Shepherd. As the beloved librarian at South Middle School in Martinsburg, WV, Needy loved students and touched the lives of many during her long career in public education. Needy graduated from Shepherd with a degree in secondary education and, along with other community involvement, she remained active with her alma mater through not only the Scarborough Society, but as a member of Phi Sigma Chi and Women Investing in Shepherd (WISH).

Upon Nancy’s passing in 2017, the Nancy E. Needy Scholarship was established through an estate bequest. The scholarship will benefit future generations of Shepherd University students.

The Scarborough Society and the Shepherd University Foundation remember both Jean Elliott and Nancy Needy with respect and fondness.