Alice (Louise) Mathews Neill, 89, of 17 Ridgeland Road, Norwich, New York passed away peacefully in her home with family members at her side on Friday July 17, 2009.
She began her journey here on Earth on March 6th, 1920, in Ada, Ohio, the daughter of James Davenport Mathews and Laura Mae Wilson.
She graduated from Mansfield High School, Mansfield, Ohio in 1938. She went on to receive a B.A. in Education from Maryville College in 1944, and an M.A. in English from Colgate University in 1972.
Alice has been a significant contributing member of the Norwich community for 59 years. She was employed by the Norwich School System, as an English teacher for 19 years until her retirement in 1984. Alice received many accolades during her school tenure, including Best Teacher. She has been a devoted long time member of the United Church of Christ, First Congregational. Alice was active in on various church boards and committees including serving on the Selection and Search Committee for New Ministers and acting as church moderator in 1973. Alice joined her husband Alex in Rotary International Foundation’s 3H program, in a humanitarian working-visit to Peru. Where she acted as liaison and teacher to the villagers and students from ages 7 to 57 years. As a result of this humanitarian work Alice was later presented Rotary International’s prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship award.
Alice, along with her husband loved traveling the world and exploring many countries and cultures. Countries experienced: England, Germany, France, Italy, Egypt, Israel, Zimbabwe, Peru, Russia, India, Canada, and Mexico.
Alice had many passions and devoted her spirit with intensity to everything she did. She had a significant love of reading and participated in a local Book Club for nearly 30 years. Alice was a respected source for many who sought her counsel and advice on all sorts of issues. She was an extremely well grounded person and loved to give back to those in need. She valued giving back so much, she chose education as her vocation and it became her life’s passion. Her ability to teach was profound. This was her highest form of community service – teaching and inspiring others to make their own unique contribution.
Of course, Alice’s greatest passion was for the love of her life, her late husband Alex, and her family. Alice and Alex were blessed with a truly beautiful and completely devoted relationship throughout 57 years of marriage.
Alice Mathews Neill is survived by four sons, a grandchild, and a brother: Alexander Bold Neill, Jr., of Norwich; Jonathan Mathews Neill and his wife Diana, of Chehalis, Washington; Kenneth Hunter Neill and his wife Suzanne (Denning) of Durham, North Carolina; and Joseph Donaldson Neill and Renea Diane Been of Houston, Texas; grandchild, Katherine Mathews Neill, of Durham, North Carolina; and brother Bishop James K. Mathews of Washington, D.C.
The belief in the uniqueness of all human beings was so well embodied by Alice and felt by those whom she encountered whether they were students, close friends or strangers. Her contributions live on through those she addressed. Alice will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all those who were touched by her presence.
Funeral services are set for Saturday July 25 at 2pm at the United Church of Christ 11 West Main Street, Norwich. Funeral services are under the direction and arrangement of Wilson Funeral Home of Norwich. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. Condolences can be sent to the family thru the Wilson Funeral Home website http://.wilsonfh.com.
{ 29 } Comments
From one unique event in history to another, thanks for the inspiration. Favorite new word: ubiquitous. Least favorite book: Moby Dick. Favorite memory: always feeling special visiting with you years and years after graduating from NHS. I’ll miss you. My sincere condolences to the family, may your memories bring warmth and smiles to you at this time and always.
My condolences to you all. Mrs. Neill was most certainly “a unique event in history” and will be truly missed.
Susan (Rabinowitz) Lin
I will miss Alice so very much, she was very important in my surviving the death of my daughter Rachel. I wish I had connected with her under other circumstances, but it wasn’t the right time. I often told her she was my spiritual guide here on earth!!! Now I hope she continues, I asked her to let me know what’s doing when she gets to the “other side”, so I am patiently waiting for a visit.
I am grateful for the time I was fortunate enough to share with Alice. She was truly genuine and very true to herself .
I will continue to learn as I go, but thanks to Alice I have been able to help others. I know she will give my Rachel a big hug when she sees her….if she hasn’t already!
My thoughts are with you all.
Rita Ashton
God Bless Mrs. Neill for sharing her gift of teaching and the love that she bestowed on her students.
Dr. and Mrs. Neill were not only very good friends of my parents, but Mrs. Neill and Mrs. Elia were also my very favorite teachers. Their guidance and support are irreplaceable.
John Michels
Montgomery, AL
My sympathy and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of your inspirational and exceptional mother, Alice Neill. She was my favorite teacher in High School and it is because of her enthusiasm for Moby Dick that I became a high school English teacher, teaching Moby Dick and always remembering her recitation “Is Ahab, Ahab? Is it I, God, or who that lifts this arm?” She was a truly inspiring human being,– one of the great ones. The world is a better place because of her. I will always remember her warm sincere smile and overall good nature. She always had a positive, upbeat outlook. Sunshine was manifest in Alice Neill! God be with you, Mary Ann
Jon & Diana we send our thoughts and prayers to you and your family with deepest sympathy.
Mike & Liz
The Neill family has a special place in the heart of my whole family. Christmases shared, picnics, and mothers ironing together, just to share fellowship during a boring chore, are among my favorite memories that contribute to the fabric of my childhood. From when I was in grade school until the present, Alice, as well as the rest of the Neill family represent what we all respect and cherish. It is with great fondness I remember her and great sadness I think of her loss. I’m happy thinking she is now spending time – again- with my Mom.
Suzanne Biviano
To Mrs. Neill’s (despite her importuning, I could never bring myself to call this awe-inspiring, wise and loving woman “Alice”!) children and grandchildren:
I am so sad for you and for the many of us who loved your mother, basked in her warmth and deep, spiritual wisdom. We hadn’t seen her in several years, yet I’ve been thinking of her often, especially in the past few weeks. My mother and she were the best of friends — soul mates actually. They adored one another and when mine died I know that your mother felt it, and her presence, deeply.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences, but also my thanks for sharing this wonderful woman. Long live her memory and the gifts she bestowed on all of us.
Very truly yours,
Michael
Psalm 1
WALK WISE
a wisdom psalm
heroic sonnet
1 The wise one’s walk will show the way to go:
Don’t walk your course by wicked people’s chart,
Don’t stand around with sinners on the road,
Don’t stay with those who rip our God apart!
2 For you must love the Teachings of the Lord,
Absorbing lessons deep within your heart.
So ponder them when waking at first light,
And think about them far into the night.
3 You’ll be a tree that’s rooted near a stream.
Each branch will bear much fruit in its own time.
Your leaves will grow out lush and full and green.
You’ll prosper, for that follows God’s design.
4 Not so the wicked, for they won’t obey.
They’re just dry chaff blown at the wind’s command.
5 Now with the pure of heart they cannot stay,
For at God’s judgment they all fail to stand.
6 While Yahweh guards the path the godly walk,
The wicked way is doomed, trails off to naught.
From my recently completed book POET Psalms, for someone who was “Mom” to many of us.
Praying the Lord’s comfort will surround the family.
Love,
Brenda Higgie Boerger
Mrs. Neill held a very special place in the hearts of so many classes that passed through Norwich. The class of 1968 was blessed to also have her son Alex as a member. We have so many fond memories of such a warm and loving teacher and friend.
Mrs. Neill was one of those teachers you never forget………..a truly lovely lady.
Alex, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Amy D’Angelo Lawless
Dear Jon,Alex,Ken,Joe
John and I share many of the sentiments expressed for your mom. As a teacher she made us feel important,and got us to believe that being unique was a good thing, not a small accomplishment for a sixteen or seventeen year old. I am grateful for the conversations I had with your mom and the friendships she provided through her son(s),esp.you Jon. She was a Gem.
Sincerely,Buff and John
Mrs. Neill will be missed by so many. Such great memories of her in school. Alex, our thoughts and prayers war with you and all of your family.
To all of the Neills, epecially Joe who has a special place in my memories of your family.
I will miss your Mom’s beautiful smile and gentle words. She was always a joy to be with. I firmly believe that we will all meet again–somewhere, somehow and take great comfort from that. I do hope that you all have the same hope and comfort.
Sincerely, Betty
With deepest sympathy to the entire Neill family and a wish that happy memories will bring you peace.
Mrs. Neill taught me much about persistence and not accepting my preconceived notions, lessons I carry with me still. My deepest sympathy to all who mourn her loss.
Cecile (Rabinowitz) Kowalski
Joe-
I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. God Bless- Katrina Neilen Conrad (classmate)
I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Neill’s passing. She was an outstanding teacher and it doesn’t take me long to hear her laugh, even though it has been about 27 years since I’ve heard.
My condolences to her family,
Tom Wessels
Littleton, Colorado
Mrs. Neill was a great teacher. She made the words on the pages come alive. She also taught me about compassion, a lesson I’ve never forgotten. My sincere condolences to the Neill family.
Dear Jonathan,
I am truly sorry I missed your mom’s funeral. I didn’t know about it. She was a great lady. The last time I saw her was at our class reunion 8 years ago. She looked wonderful. She had such a beautiful smile. Again, Jonathan, I am truly sorry. It would have been lovely to see you again.
Debi
Thoughts of Mrs. Neill have always warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face! She made learning fun and had a laugh that was priceless ! Thank you !!!!
Mrs. Neill was my favorite teacher in the world, and I have had many fabulous teachers over the years. She refined my writing skills, which are still coming in handy for me to this day as I work on a PhD and also try to publish. I think of her nearly every day because of this – I graduated way back in 1977. Mrs. Neill was sweet, kind and inspirational to all who knew her.
To the Neill Family……We were so saddened to learn of Alice’s death. Your Mom and Dad were great next door neighbors and Alice was such a blessing to our 2 older children in High School. Our sincere sympathy to your whole family. Fondly, The Roswicks
Alex, Jonathan, Ken, and Joe – Your Mom has been in my thoughts, and all of you & your families, as well. So many cherished memories of our childhood together! I think our parents set the example for adult friendships. I thank them for that. And I wish all of you the very best as you grieve and remember your Mom.
GINNY
Mrs. Neill was the most influential teacher I had at Norwich High School (class of 1985) and her teachings continue to inform my speech, writing style and passion for life.
My sincere sympathy to your family.
Suzanne Harrington
Cleveland Heights, OH
It may be late, but it is heartfelt. There are teachers who influence you in your life, and whose skills others depend on when they enter the field. Mrs. Neill was both a role model and an inspiration to many. My deepest condolences, mi más sincero pésame, to the family.
Alex, Jon, Ken, Joe and families,
You have our sincere Christian sympathy on the death of your Mother Alice. Our friendship began when she was on the search committee that brought us to Norwich to serve the United Church of Christ, First Congregational. Our friendship continued after we moved to Bethlehem, PA. Your Mom and Dad were always there for the significant events in our life. including the wedding of our son Denis in Bethlehem in 1990, and the wedding of our daughter Denise in Hebron, CT in 2003. We just found out about Alice’s death in the Norwich UCC Newsletter which came in the mail today. God bless you and your families.
Donald and Doris Esslinger
I’m very sorry to hear of the passing of Alice Neill. Mrs. Neill – and all the Neill’s – were great friend’s of my family. She was a wonderful teacher, more talented than any educator I ever had. I attended her class regularly with vigor (not vinegar!), and enjoyed the experience. Plus, she probably would’ve called my mom if I didn’t have a good excuse for not being there. May you all find comfort knowing that she touched so many lives in a loving, caring and inspirational way. With love, David St. Denny.
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