Ann J. Neeley

“There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real.” Ann Jeannette Neeley, 94, of Newburgh, IN, died peacefully at Primrose Retirement Community of Newburgh on Tuesday, January 28, 2020. Ann was born September 17, 1925 in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Anna Harajcik and Thomas Martin Connelly. At age 16, Ann worked after school making camouflage paper covers for the wings of new war planes. During WWII she was a telegraph operator. In 1946 she married Tom Neeley when he returned from active duty as a WWII Marine in the Pacific. They were married 65 years. She was an active Girl Scout leader in Evansville, IN and a member of the Sprinklesburg Chapter of the DAR in Newburgh, IN. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, gardening, and puzzles. She is survived by and lovingly remembered by daughters, Sheila Ann Rayburn (Charles) of Des Moines, IA, Karen Leigh Thomas (Terry) of Lexington, KY and Anne Patricia Dale (Robert) of Newburgh, IN and son, Thomas Shawn Neeley (Camille) of Newburgh, IN. Ten grandchildren: Jeffrey (Jackie), Douglas (Susannah), Michael (Margarita) Rayburn, Trent (Heather) Thomas, Neeley (Jeffrey) Buhr, Shannon (Richard) Smith, Megan and Austin Dale, and Brianne and Elizabeth Neeley. Twelve great-grandchildren: Sydney, Tyler and Addison Rayburn; Jasmyn and Sophia Rayburn; Mason, Lily and Ava Thomas; Emma Rae and Mia Jo Buhr, and Poppy Jane & Heidi Marie Smith. The family would like to thank the staff at Primrose and SouthernCare Hospice Services for their loving care. Memorial contributions can be made to SouthernCare Hospice. A memorial visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 30, 2020 at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, 5333 State Road 261. A memorial Mass will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 31, 2020 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Newburgh, 625 Frame Road, officiated by Fr. Tom Kessler. Memorial contributions may be made to SouthernCare Hospice. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com.