Graduate of Shelley High School, Colorado Women’s College and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Marjorie served in the US Navy as a Link Trainer during WWII. Dedicated science teacher at Douglas, NE, junior and senior high schools for 26 years. She was a long time member of First Baptist Church – Lincoln.
Survived by children, Dorothy Neill, Rena (Gary) McLaughlin, Rita (Mike Kotrick) Neill, Ted (Jennifer) Neill and Jennifer (Tom) Miller, 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. The family thanks dedicated caregivers at Waterford Assisted Living and Bryan East Hospital, 6th floor geriatric wing.
Marjorie was interred at Lincoln Memorial Park in July. The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 22nd from 5pm to 7pm at Lincoln Memorial. Memorial Service: Friday, August 23rd at 11 AM at Lincoln Memorial. In honor of Marjorie’s service and love for her country, wear red, white and blue, if you are able to/or so desire. Memorial gifts in Marjorie Neill’s name to First Baptist Church – Lincoln and Bryan Foundation (for the establishment of a scholarship for a student specializing in senior care). Prior to the visitation and memorial service, gifts can be sent to Lincoln Memorial, 6800 S 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68512.
Marjorie May Neill was born May 5, 1921, the youngest of five children, to Neal S. and Madge M. Sage in Shelley, Idaho. After graduation from Shelley High School, Marjorie attended Colorado Women’s College in Denver and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
She taught science in Cambridge, NE for 1 year and then enlisted in the Navy in 1944. She was a Link Trainer Operator teaching pilots celestial navigation. The Link Trainer was a recording device used in conjunction with a simulator. It recorded the pilot’s decisions regarding flying the plane. When the session was completed the Link Trainer information was used as feedback for the pilot telling them where they made good and bad navigation decisions. Marjorie was a life time member of the Flatwater Waves, a local organization of women Navy veterans.
After her discharge in 1946, she returned to Nebraska where she taught in Pawnee City. It was there she met John P. Neill, whom she married. They moved to Lincoln, NE where John attended college and together, they started a family.
Marjorie was a stay-at-home mother, raising five children, until her youngest child started school. Upon her divorce, she resumed her teaching career. For 26 years she commuted from Lincoln to Douglas, NE where she taught junior and senior high science, coached a few sports and eventually served as school principal. She was highly respected and much loved. Many years after her retirement in 1991, she occasionally encountered Douglas parents and former students around Lincoln and was always remembered fondly. At a recent school anniversary celebration, Marjorie was given a standing ovation.
After her retirement she enjoyed visiting family and watching grandchildren grow up, playing golf, attending OLLI classes and traveling. She made one trip to Africa and two trips to Australia with family, as well as a trip to the Holy Lands in Israel with her church group. She met her goal of seeing all 50 state capitals, finishing up the last eight or so with her daughters. From 2002 to 2004, Marjorie retraced much of the Lewis and Clark trail during the bicentennial of their historic exploration of the Missouri River and a route to the Pacific Ocean. There were many trips to see the Sandhill Cranes and the Ashfalls Fossil Beds, and to visit family.
She enjoyed playing card and board games and working jigsaw puzzles. She passed down that enjoyment to her children. At the age of 95 she learned a new card game – Hand and Foot – which she liked to play with her daughters.
Marjorie passed away in Lincoln, NE on June 24, 2019 at the age of 98 years, 1 month and 19 days. We will miss her enthusiasm for life and her love.
