Obituary of Jamie K. Neal

Jamie K. Neal could light up a room with her smile, a basketball court with her fierce will to win, or a classroom with her mastery of math and statistics. She was a light and joy to her family, a beloved daughter and sister, a cherished granddaughter, niece, and cousin. Jamie passed away on March 10 at age 21. Born in Middletown, Conn., Jamie moved with her family to Duxbury, Mass., in 1997. The recipient of 12 varsity letters at Duxbury High School and captain of three varsity teams—basketball, soccer, and softball—Jamie also was a percussionist in the high school orchestra. She entered Williams College in 2006, where she played basketball and studied economics and math. She loved the college, becoming especially close to her mentor Dean Dave. Schoolwork and sports were paramount in Jamie’s mind, and she pursued them with single-minded intensity. Little things like a wet towel on the bed or peanut butter on the floor were of no consequence. Besides acing a test or swishing a three-pointer, she took greatest pleasure at being active with friends and family, caring for children, or snuggling with her dogs, Woody and Bailey. Jamie’s offbeat humor could break up a gathering with an unusual angle on the subject at hand. She also embraced differences in other people’s perspectives and values. She, along with her mom, spent three summers with the Appalachia Service Project, repairing and renovating homes in impoverished areas of the United States. Her heart was open to the entire world’s kinds and colors. Despite her vitality and talents, Jamie had struggled with depression for many years. She was helped in that fight by a special woman, Jennifer. Jamie’s legacy is one of kindness, acceptance, excellence, and extraordinarily hard work. Jamie leaves her parents, Robert and Deborah, and brother, Abram; Aunt Andi, Uncle Terry, and cousin Jonathan Heinlein; grandparents Robert and Judy Neal; Aunt Donna McGlashan; Aunt Denise Killeen, and many other wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was predeceased by her cousin Christopher Heinlein and grandparents John and Edna Killeen. A celebration of Jamie’s life will be held on Friday, March 26, 11:00 a.m., at the First Parish Church, 842 Tremont St., Duxbury, Mass. All are welcome. Remembrances of Jamie may be emailed to dneal0@comcast.net or rhneal3@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Jamie K. Neal Fund in support of a scholar–athlete scholarship at Duxbury High School, research and treatment in mental health, and programs in rape awareness. Checks may be made payable to the Jamie K. Neal Fund, Sovereign Bank, 64 Depot St., Box J, Duxbury, MA 02332.