October 20, 1932 - September 21, 2018
On a bright spectacular Fall afternoon, one month short of her 86th birthday, our wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma passed away peacefully at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital.
Sophie Neill was the much beloved wife of Sid Neill; the loving mother of Jocelyn, Robert and Michael; mother-in-law to Dwayne, Cathy and Paula; doting grandmother to Tanner (Emily), Jay (Natalie), Olivia (Matthew), Tayte, Colton, Max, Hannah; and sweetest great-grandma to Lexi.
Sophie was born and raised in the East Coast village of Bouctouche, NB in the large Acadian family of Joseph and Anna LeBlanc, big sister to Bernice (Del), Andrea (Ed), Doris, Andre (Linda) and Paul (Nicole) and families.
Sophie's nursing career drew her West with the intention of seeking the Rockies...as fate would have it, Dryden was as far as she would get before she met the love of her life and began a family, eventually moving to Kenora.
The next twenty years were devoted to supporting her children in their endeavours be it school, hockey, baseball, football, Brownies or art, and her husband in his career with MTO and then Towland Construction. Soon daughters-in-law, son-in-law and grandchildren arrived to benefit from her loving care and overfeeding :) Many special memories were created card-playing with the DeGagnes and the Bowens; on Christmas Eves at the Wongs'; on camping trips to New Brunswick to visit family and eat copious amounts of lobster - especially the East Coast adventure of 2016 for the original five; and later, on Wolf Island where they became a part of a new supportive community who fell in love with her as family. Everyone was welcomed and fed with her famous blueberry pie and peanut butter marshmallow squares.
Anyone who knew Sophie, knew her generosity - if she had something you needed, she gave of it freely. Although not a large presence, she had the biggest heart and gentle quiet loving spirit that has left an indelible mark. We are so grateful for her.
The family would like to thank the compassionate caring nursing staff of 2nd East at LWDH, ParaMed and Club Day Away; family friend Louise Bowen; and attentive neighbors Jamie, Don and Debra. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, September 27th, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church followed by a reception in the Church Hall. A private family interment will take place following the service.
Online condolences can be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com.
Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Center entrusted with the arrangements.
La Vie est Belle - Life is Beautiful
