Mrs. Nancy Lee McNeil

Nancy Lee Mc Neil was born on May 9, 1921 to Arthur and Genevieve Kohlmann. She passed away on Friday, April 12, 2013 surrounded by her loving family. She was a lifelong resident of Fresno. Her grandfather, Michael Kavanagh, was an Irish immigrant who rose to prominence as a horticulturist and farmer in Fresno County. She attended Saint Therese School, and graduated from Hamilton Junior High School and Fresno High School. She completed a two year business course at Fresno State College. In October of 1939, Nancy met the love of her life, Charles McNeil, on a blind date. They were married on December 4,1941. Nancy worked as a legal secretary until she joined Charles who enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942. They spent the remainder of the war years at Charles' duty stations across the country. When Charles was discharged in 1946, they returned to the family ranch in southwest Fresno. While Charles managed the ranch, Nancy raised their five children and volunteered her time to many causes. She was the first woman elected to serve on the West Park Elementary School Board of Trustees; she was also the first woman to serve as president of the Board. She was a Girl Scout Troop Leader, and started a Cub Scout Pack when her son, Chuck, was two years old. She was active in the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority where she served as its representative to the Central California Panhellenic Council. She was president of the council for two and one-half years. She was also president of the Kappa Alpha Theta Mothers Club. She was a member of the West Park Thursday Club which was started by Charles' grandmother in 1870. She was chosen to be a member of the Fresno County Grand Jury. She was involved in the Fresno Cotton Wives for many years. She traveled all over the country as an ambassador for the cotton industry. Nancy had an unwavering faith in God. She was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. She was a lifelong gardener; she loved to work in her yard. She enjoyed getting her hands dirty when she planted her beautiful flowers. She took great satisfaction in seeing the results of her labor. She loved people and thrived on contacts with family and friends. She played bridge regularly until a couple of years ago. She was also a sports fan and enjoyed attending and watching Notre Dame football games and her beloved San Francisco Giants. She was so happy when they won the World Series. She loved visiting Lake Tahoe where she felt closer to God. Nancy was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Watching her children grow into successful adults with children and grandchildren of their own was always a source of pride for her.

Nancy will be remembered for her love of family, her unwavering faith in God and her zest for life. She will be missed by all of the people who were blessed to have her in their lives. Preceding Nancy in death was her husband of fifty-three years, Charles McNeil; and her granddaughter, Jennifer Perkins. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Jan and Peggy Perkins of Fresno, John and Charlene Pestorich of Fresno, and Elliott and Bonnie Klahr of Green Valley, Arizona; son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Marta McNeil of Southlake, Texas; and daughter, Meredith "Duffy" McNeil of Fresno, who lovingly cared for her for the past couple of years. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Michael Perkins, Rebecca Thorpe, Robert Perkins, Sarah Pedersen, Ryan Perkins, John Pestorich, Carrie DeYoung, Matthew Pestorich, Mark Pestorich, Ashley Klahr, Max Klahr, Barbara McNeil, Wendy McNeil, Elaine McNeil, Charles McNeil, and fourteen great-grandchildren. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns and Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Friday, April 19, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at the Odd Fellows Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The Jennifer Perkins Memorial Fund, Columbia University, c/o Dean of the School of General Studies, 408 Lewishon Hall, MC 4191,2970 Broadway, New York, New York 10027.