Obituary of Elizabeth E. McNeil

Elizabeth Evelyn “Betty” McNeil

Beloved matriarch, loyal friend, devoted companion

Elizabeth Evelyn McNeil, 103, died Monday, February 12, 2024 at her residence in Potomac, Maryland.

Elizabeth, or “Betty” as she was known to all, was born August 25, 1920, in Plymouth, Massachusetts to John Watson and Jennie Magee Watson, who had emigrated from Scotland and Ireland, respectively. As a young girl, she enjoyed roller skating and visiting the beach with her family.

She met Henry “Hank” Purcell McNeil, who became the love of her life. They made their home in Duxbury, Massachusetts and raised their three children: Jayne, Michael, and Elizabeth (Beth). A homemaker, Betty cared for her children and liked taking them swimming at the pond in Plymouth. She was known for her spotless home, and she prided herself on its pristine condition.

Betty was a devoted companion to her beloved Hank, who died in 1987. She kept her great love for him for the rest of her life, and he was always in her thoughts and prayers.

Betty lived an active and social life in Duxbury. She was a member of the Duxbury Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Duxbury Senior Citizens Club. She loved Duxbury Beach, her coffee group, and various social activities with friends and neighbors. She was a longtime member of Holy Family Catholic Church, often arriving an hour early to claim her preferred pew. She enjoyed traveling with friends and family. She had a tradition of attending Marine Corps Reunions with Hank, and later with her daughters. She was an avid reader.

In 2014, Betty moved to live near family in Maryland, and at the time of her death she resided at Byron House Assisted Living. She treasured visits, calls, letters and photos from her family and friends, frequently flipping through the thick stack of holiday cards and family photos that she kept on her walker.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hank McNeil; her children, Jayne (Christopher Phillips) and Michael; her grandson, Timothy Phillips; her parents, John Watson and Jennie Magee Watson; and her siblings, John Watson and Margaret Basler.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth (Peter) McMahon; eight grandchildren, Jeffrey Phillips (Angelina Conti), Jennifer (Rick) Lithgow; Michelle McNeil, Christine (Mason) Stedman, Kelly McMahon (Brian Zuckerman), Lauren (Joe) Layman, Katelyn McMahon, and Michael (Alexandra) McMahon; 18 great grandchildren, Finn and Javier Lithgow, Leianna (Christopher) Melde, Mikayla (Logan) Johnson, Shayla (Luke) Wangen, Slade Ferris, Drake, Maycena, and Lily Stedman, Caedan, Cove, Rhys, and Grey Zuckerman, Drew and Rory Layman, Reid Blanken, and Miles and Riley McMahon; and nine great-great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held from 4-6 p.m. Friday, February 23 at Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main St., Kingston, MA. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, at Holy Family Church, 601 Tremont St., Duxbury MA; followed by interment at Mayflower Cemetery, 774 Tremont St., Duxbury, MA.