Jean McNeil

Jean Helen (Boudreau) McNeil passed away peacefully after a brief illness on December 21, 2023, at the age of 78 at home surrounded by family and friends. She was born and raised in Everett, MA and moved to Lynn, MA where she remained for the rest of her life.

Jean was a mother to every friend of her children while they were growing up and her welcoming personality made her a friend to every stranger she encountered when she worked as a waitress at the China Lion and Lido Restaurants for 30 years until her retirement in 2009. She loved and was truly loved by all those she met and served at these establishments. She retired as the Direct Support Professional at the 7 Seven Hills Foundation working with mentally challenged men and was extremely proud of receiving the Gerry Wright Direct Service Employee of the Year Award on October 29, 2009, from then Massachusetts Governor, Deval Patrick. Her generosity and friendship were recognized by all who were blessed to meet her in her walk of life.

Jean’s passions included reading, listening to music, going to concerts, watching old movies, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and hosting the most incredible Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners where anyone who walked in was a welcome guest in her home. Her lasagna and pasta dishes were legendary, and it seemed like no matter how many guests arrived, there was always enough for everyone. She especially loved going to New Hampshire and spending time with her family at Ossipee Lake in New Hampshire and loved to laugh. She immediately lit up any room with her laugh and smile.

She was fiercely loyal to all friends and family whom she loved unconditionally, fully supportive of all those she loved, and always the first to lend a hand to anyone who was struggling or needed a helping hand. She was truly one of a kind and will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Jean was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Beatrice (Petera) Boudreau and was the beloved wife of the late John McNeil. She was the devoted mother of Sandra (Rick) Landry of Lynn, MA, Robin (Peter) Jandrisevits of Peabody, MA, Kathleen (Bruce) Thomas of Lynn MA, Paul (Sandra) Glavin of Lavergne, TN, and Daniel, and John McNeil of Lynn, MA. She also leaves her husband’s sons, James, William, and David McNeil who often referred to her as their second mother, 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews who cherished and loved her as she did them. She was the sister of Joseph and Paul Aisei, Cathy Driscoll, and Artie Wamness.

She is predeceased by her birth mother Pearl Wamness and her sister Barbara Aronis.

Friends and family are invited to attend Jean’s visiting hours on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, 157 Maple Street, Lynn. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM at St. Pius V Church, 215 Maple Street, Lynn. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either Shriners Children’s Hospital, www.shrinerschildrens.org or Make-A-Wish America, www.wish.org.