Virginia Lee Neill

Carbondale - Virginia Lee Neill, 90, peacefully passed away on Friday, July 31, 2015, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Virginia was born on August 31, 1924 in Tilden to J. Herbert and Ida L. (Sim) McQuater. She married Dr. Clifford Grant Neill on December 20, 1944 in Tilden. Together they shared an astounding 70 years of marriage. He survives and is of Carbondale. Other survivors include, a son and daughter-in-law, Michael Grant and Michelle (Palmer) Neill of Carbondale; daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia (Neill) and Paul Charles Belmont of St. Louis, MO; son-in-law, Dr. J. Kevin Dorsey of Springfield; six grandchildren, Michael Patrick Dorsey, Ryan Neill Dorsey, and his wife, Ellen, Jennifer Belmont Jennings and her husband Brent, Andrew Neill Belmont and his wife Kami, Chelsea Diane Neill and Colin Grant Neill; four great grandchildren, Baden Michael Dorsey, Ava Diane Dorsey, William Grant Jennings and Lillian Frances Dorsey. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a daughter, Diane Sue Dorsey, on January 14, 1999. Virginia was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Carbondale, where she was a bible school teacher and founder of the Hospitality Class. She was a founding member of PEO Chapter KZ. She was also a member of the Carbondale Women's Club, Garden Club, Bridge Club, and Beta Sigma Phi. As a Girl Scout leader and board member of the Shagbark Girl Scout Council she opted to take her girls to the Palmer House, Chicago for "camping trips." Her motto was "live every day and rise to the occasion." She was the ultimate planner and hostess, especially for her family. She opened her home constantly for events, such as, the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Homecoming floats and Prom decorations. Committee meetings for events and organizations such as the Lincoln Academy were often held in her home. For 30 years she hosted the Chapter KZ, PEO Christmas Luncheons. Virginia was a past State President of the Illinois State Chapter, PEO Sisterhood and past Chairman of the PEO State Homeboard. She worked at Monsanto during WWII, while supporting her husband in dental school. She was among the first American wives to accompany their husbands during the occupation of Germany after WWII. They lived in Heidelberg where she served as a court reporter for court Marshal hearings for the American military. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 3, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church, Carbondale, with Rev. Alan Rhein officiating. Friends may call upon the Church, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. A private family burial will be held in Tilden. Memorials to Hospice of Southern Illinois, First United Methodist Church and Shagbark Girl Scout Council are the preferred form of remembrances and will be accepted by Meredith Funeral Home of Carbondale.



Service:



11:00 a.m. Monday, August 3, 2015



First United Methodist Church Carbondale, Illinois







Visitation:



9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 3, 2015



First United Methodist Church Carbondale, Illinois