Bridget Mary McNeill

Bridget Mary McNeill, born October 11,1920, went to her eternal rest on Sunday, June 1, 2014. Surrounded by family, she passed peacefully and is once again joined with her beloved husband of almost 60 years, Donald McNeill who predeceased her (2003). Bridget was two when her father, Edward Benedict Noone was killed in the Irish War of Independence. He is honoured with burial in the Michael Collins Memorial Plot, Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin. Bridget's mother Christine was left alone to raise her daughter and a year old son, Edward. Mom grew up in Ireland and England. She went out to work at an early age and always valued an education. She was proud of her Irish heritage and generously shared her knowledge and personal memories. On December 19,1943 Bridget married Donald McNeill, then serving with the Canadian Air Force, Bomber Command, in England and North Africa. She arrived in Canada at the Port of Halifax, Pier Twenty-One, on Christmas Day, 1944 with other war brides aboard a military ship. The young couple farmed for 10 years south of Foam Lake and thereafter Don was employed in the Co-op retail system in Morse and Foam Lake. Mom was active in the community, particularly with the United Church Women. Bridget and Don were beautiful dancers and enjoyed dancing into their 80's. It was one of the many activities they enjoyed during their retirement years in Mesa, Arizona. In later years they spent the winter months in Victoria, B.C. Bridget was an enthusiastic gardener and spent many happy hours creating her own English garden. She was an avid reader and read widely until the last year of her life. Mom was a wonderful grandmother and took great joy in her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The grandsons loved to raid her freezer, filled with home baked goodies. Bridget was loved and admired for her sense of humour, her wit, and her resilience. She offered generous hospitality to many, including her children's friends. Mom loved family occasions, tea and coffee parties and any excuse to play bridge, a game she first learned as a new bride in Canada. We are grateful that she remained well, active and able to participate in the social life she so enjoyed until a few months ago. Besides her loving husband Donald, Bridget was predeceased by her cherished daughter, Christine Felker; Christine's spouse, Peter and her brother, Edward Noone of Norfolk, England. Bridget is dearly missed and lovingly remembered by her daughter, Patricia (Maurice) McCrea of Saskatoon; her son, Gordon (Leona) McNeill of Vermilion, AB; her daughter, Laura McNeill of Vancouver, B.C.; her grandchildren, Geoff (Charmaine) Felker, Dr. Simon McCrea, Gene McCrea, Matthew (Jennifer) McCrea, Ben McCrea, Grant (Sara) McNeill, Andrea (Carey) Withnell, and eight great grandchildren. In accordance with Bridget's wishes a Graveside Service will be held at Foam Lake Cemetery on Sunday, July 27, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Roland Legge officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honour of Bridget may be made to the Foam Lake Library or the Foam Lake United Church. Cremation arrangements in care of David Polzen - MOURNING GLORY FUNERAL SERVICES (306-978-5200) www.mourningglory.ca