Born in Fall River, the daughter of the late William A. and Margaret H. (Patenaude) Neilan, she was a longtime resident of Swansea before moving to Fall River.
A graduate of Somerset High School, Class of 1978, she did medical billing for several years. Actively involved in her church, she volunteered and participated in many events at the First Christian Congregational Church. An avid reader, she was also skilled at crocheting, knitting and cooking.
She is survived by one daughter, Maya Pappas of St. Petersburg, FL; three sisters, Lynn Clift and her husband James of Coventry, RI, Christine Alves and her husband Christopher of Swansea and Nicole Ryan and her husband Michael of Johnston, RI; four brothers, William A. Neilan and his wife Sheila of FL, James M. Neilan and his wife Susan of Swansea, Mark R. Neilan and his wife Yvonne of Somerset and Richard Neilan and his wife Wendy of Somerset and 36 nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Her Funeral Service will be Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the First Christian Congregational Church, 1113 GAR Highway, Swansea. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 4:00 – 7:00 PM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter St., Fall River. Contributions in her honor may be made to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023 Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 https://diabetes.org/local/new-england. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. For tributes and directions, www.waring-sullivan.com
