Catherine Ann McNeill

Catherine Ann McNeill born February 5, 1948 of Wadsworth, Illinois went to be with the Lord peacefully on November 7, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. The oldest of eleven children born to Alice and Clarence John, Cathy cherished the close relationships she shared with her siblings.

Born In Iowa City, Iowa, then relocating to Western Kenosha County, Cathy graduated from Wilmot Union High School. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she pursued a career in healthcare and earned her nursing degree from the Milwaukee School of Nursing. Upon graduation, Cathy devoted herself to caring for others, serving faithfully as an Intensive Care RN at Victory Memorial Hospital in Waukegan for 39 years until her retirement in 2008.

Cathy married the love of her life George McNeill on August 23, 1969. Together, they partnered to create a beautiful family who they poured their hearts and souls into. They raised 4 children in their home in Wadsworth where they enjoyed planting vegetables and flowers, then sharing the bounty of their huge garden. A favorite phrase was “Lock your doors, it’s Zucchini season.” She was an inventive cook and enjoyed hiding zucchini and other garden delights in her recipes.

An avid sports fan, Cathy cheered passionately for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and—most of all—any team her grandchildren played on, from recreation leagues to college. It wasn’t unusual to see an array of college team shirts around her house, depending on which grandchild had a game that day.

She enjoyed going Up North to the family cabin, where she found peace spending time with her family watching the eagles, listening to the loons, and roasting hot dogs (she loved them burnt) & marshmallows with her grandchildren. Cathy was active in the community and enjoyed attending St. Patrick’s Church. She treasured the relationships she made in Wadsworth especially with her beloved neighbors, and their cherished friends Bob and Fran. The love that bound her and George together in their 56 years of marriage will continue to live on for generations.

Cathy was preceded in death by one brother, Patrick John, and one sister, Cynthia Skrypt and is survived by her husband, George McNeill; four children, Matt (Dawnelle) McNeill, Megan (Greg) Kirsch, Marty (Angela) McNeill, and Mike (Meghan) McNeill; her eleven grandchildren who were her pride and joy: Reid, Brynn, Grant, Zoe, Mason, Jackson, Lila, Tyler, Finn, Erika, and Melissa; her siblings, Mike John, Deb Gaertner, Tim (Lori) John, Bob (Tina) John, Rock (Chelo) John, Jim John, Jenny (Jeff) Baldwin, and Chris John; brother-in-law, Jim McNeill; sisters-in-law, Kay Steinke and Nancy Miller; many loving nieces and nephews and special relatives and treasured friends, Bob and Sally Cote.

She will always be remembered for her strong faith, generous and caring spirit, as well as her warm-hearted smile.

Visitation will be held at St. Brigid’s Parish at St. Patrick's Church, 15000 W Wadsworth Road, Wadsworth, Illinois on Tuesday, November 25th from 10:30 am-11:30 am, followed by a 11:30 am Funeral Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cathy's memory to Breast Cancer Research or Alzheimer's Research.