Obituaries

 



 



Elinor J. McNeil

Died Oct. 10, 2015

 

LAKE LEELANAU — God received a special angel in heaven when Elinor June McNeil, 86, of Lake Leelanau, passed away Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 at Joy Givers Assisted Living surrounded by her loving family. Elinor was born Jan. 26, 1929 in Cadillac, the daughter of Edward and Francis (Seamon) Schuster and grew up in Long Lake.

  On June 25, 1953 at St. Mary’s Church of Lake Leelanau, she married Arthur William McNeil Sr., who preceded her in death on Jan. 19, 2008. After marriage Elinor spent the rest of her life in Lake Leelanau, where she raised her six children.

 Elinor was a woman of deep faith in Christ and she shared that with her children. She taught them to live a simple life, full of kindness, honesty, compassion, strength, hard work, faith and love. She was gracious, kind, dependable and most of all, loving. Elinor touched the lives of everyone she met, whether it was for a brief moment or someone she had known her whole life. She never spoke an unkind word to or about anyone even in the most adverse circumstances. She was always positive, enjoying every moment God gave her. She was a true model of a Proverbs woman.

  Elinor had a passion for bingo, going wherever she needed to play. Lifelong friendships were made there. She also worked hard fighting for the elderly in Leelanau County, being heavily involved with Meals on Wheels and the Commission on Aging. Elinor enjoyed listening to country music, loved euchre and spent countless hours with family and friends. She didn’t mind if she won or lost, it was the relationships that mattered to her. She was a lifelong Detroit Tigers fan - this is where we learned the word “patience,” and that it was all about the love of the game.

  Never having a driver’s license she could be seen walking to church, bingo and NJ’s Grocery and was really happy as each child was old enough to drive. She had a great sense of humor and would make her family laugh with her favorite sayings, “Good deal, McNeil,” and “Get ‘er did!” while giving a thumbs up!

  One’s legacy can affect several generations and the one Elinor left will be treasured and stand the test of time. That legacy can be lived out through her family and all who are reading this obituary. Say good things, do good things, think good things and love Jesus. That is the best way to honor her, then in heaven she will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

  Elinor is survived by her six children, Arthur (Marsha) McNeil, of Traverse City, Deb (Greg) Warnes, of Glen Arbor, Dave (Kristie) McNeil, of Traverse City, Bob (Rose) McNeil, of Cedar, Patricia (McNeil) Norconk, of Cedar, and Cindy McNeil, of Traverse City; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

  In addition to her husband of 54 years, Elinor was preceded in death by an infant son, Joseph McNeil; sisters, Evelyn Schuster and Lois Spires; a brother, Edward Schuster; and foster parents, Alva and Carol Cox.

  A gathering will be held on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Church in Lake Leelanau. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Father Michael Janowski will serve as celebrant.

  Memorials may be directed to Senior Services, 8527 E. Government Center Dr., Suite 106, Suttons Bay, MI 49682; Meals on Wheels, 3963 Three Mile Road, Traverse City, MI 49686; and/or Samaritans’ Closet, 25 S. Lake Leelanau Dr., Lake Leelanau, MI 49653.

  The family would like to thank Joy Givers for the excellent care they gave to Ellie. She loved you all very much. We are also grateful to Hospice of Michigan for the care and compassion they showed Ellie in her final weeks. Thank you to everyone who touched her life!

  She held on as long as she could but she knew she had us right where she wanted us: together.

  “As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on – in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here.” — Morrie Schwartz

  Please share memories with the McNeil family at www.martinson.info.

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Leelanau.