Carmel Catherine Neilan

Born to Margaret and John Gormley on July 14, 1943, in County Leitrim, Ireland, she immigrated to the United States at the age of 17. She graduated from St. Michael Central High School in Chicago before moving to New York. She worked at a bank in the Empire State Building and met the love of her life, Martin Thomas Neilan, at an Irish dance in the Bronx.

Carmel and Martin married on June 22, 1968, and settled in Livingston, New Jersey. Carmel was passionate about her family, her homeland, and her Catholic faith. She loved gardening, cooking, and baking. She excelled at Jeopardy and crossword puzzles. All were welcomed at her kitchen table with a cup of tea and an open ear. She delighted in going to her twelve grandchildren’s sporting events, concerts, and plays. After raising her children, she volunteered countless hours with the Missionaries of Charity in Newark. Carmel lived a life of faith in action, touching the lives of everyone she met with her warm personality and generous spirit.

Carmel is survived by her husband Martin and six children: Eileen Neilan-Snee (Thomas) of Mount Pleasant, SC, and their daughter Theresa; Cathy McCormack (Michael) of Livingston, NJ, and their children Bridget (Daniel Gibson), Molly, Tara, Michael, and Patrick; Martin Neilan of Livingston Manor, NY; Linda Dus (Thales) of Burke, VA, and their children Josephine and Charlotte; Marie Morton (Jeff) of Chatham, NJ, and their children Madeline, Daniel, Maeve, and John; and Tracy Neilan of Charleston, SC. She is also survived by three brothers Daniel, Thomas, and Patrick Gormley, and three sisters Theresa Sheehan, Margaret Carey, and Sylvia Cherry.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 3, from 4-8 PM at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston. Funeral mass will be offered on Friday, October 4 at 11:30 AM at St. Philomena's Church, 386 S. Livingston Avenue, Livingston, NJ. Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carmel's name may be made to Missionaries of Charity, 168 Sussex Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103.

A live stream of Carmel's Mass can be accessed through the following link:

https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-for-carmel-neilan-yylkhuadsjh0iisoi1eb