Elsie E. McNeill

Born in Pawtucket, RI, a daughter of the late Carl A.G. and Florence E. (Stillman) Birkedal, she had been a longtime resident of Swansea.

A graduate of Pawtucket High School, she also graduated from Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School. She worked as a Legal Secretary for the Richard Hawes, James Killoran, and Effraham Horwitz Law Firm.

An active member of The First Christian Congregational “Olde White” Church in Swansea, she belonged to their Mother’s, Mr. and Mrs., and W.H.O. clubs. She was also a member of their Historian and Music Committee. An avid piano and organ player she was a member of the American Guild of Organists, RI Chapter and a Choral Group. Mrs. McNeill was also a member of the Swansea Garden Club and the Fall River Women’s and Opera Clubs.

She is survived by one son: Gilbert E. McNeill and his wife Len of Lexington, NC, one daughter: Susan Branco and her husband Jeffrey of Rehoboth, MA, one sister: Frances Rice of Swansea, three grandchildren: Jeffrey Branco Jr., Gilbert McNeill Jr. and his wife Cheryl, Birke McNeill and his wife Amy, three great-grandchildren: Elina Branco, Kaitlyn and Lucy McNeill, and nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at 10:00AM in the First Christian Congregational Church, 1113 G.A.R. Highway, Swansea. In lieu of flowers contributions in her honor may be made to the Scholarship Fund at the White Church in Harland McNeill’s name, 1113 G.A.R. Highway, Swansea, MA 02777 or to the Swansea Ambulance Corps, 285 Wilbur Ave., Swansea, MA 02777. Burial in Springvale Cemetery, Rumford, RI.