Mcneil, Mary Ann

DELMAR – Mary Ann (Hart) McNeil, 86, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2017 surrounded by her family. Born in Albany, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Mary (McHugh) Hart, Sr. Mary Ann was a graduate of Vincentian Institute and the College of Saint Rose where she completed all the requirements for a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. She taught overseas at the US Air Force Base in Upper Hereford, England in the early 1960’s before returning home to join the Albany Public School system. Mrs. McNeil taught in several public elementary schools throughout Albany and for 28 years at School #16 which she considered her home. She was a member of the Albany Area Retired Teachers Association, the Bethlehem Senior Choir and the Glen Lake Association. She was a former member of St. Pius X Church Choir. Mrs. McNeil enjoyed extensive travel and was especially proud to have attained her goal of visiting all seven continents.

Mary Ann was never shy to respond to anyone who asked how she was with “I’m fine darling, I’m retired!” She treasured time spent in her home and on Glen Lake with her grandchildren and wants them to know “God isn’t finished with you yet.”

She was wife of the late Theodore McNeil, Sr.; adored mother of Theodore McNeil, Jr. (Lisa), Erinn M. McNeil, and Lynne Rutnik (Brian Backus); loving grandmother of Shelby, Carolyn and Theodore McNeil, III, Andrew Voelker, Owen and Aiylin Rutnik; sister of Edward Hart Jr. (Marymel), Alice Smith, and the late Gerard Hart; sister-in-law of Donna Hart; also survived by several loving nieces, nephews, her cousin Christine Hart Spartano, and her many life-long School 16 friends. Dunkin Donuts wants her to know they will miss her and a French vanilla will be waiting at Heaven’s Gates.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with her family Friday, December 29, from 4-7 pm in the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, Inc., 490 Delaware Ave. Albany. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 30 at 8:45 am from the funeral home thence to St. Francis of Assisi Parish, (former St. James Church) 391 Delaware Ave. where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am. Those who wish may send donations to The Community Hospice, Gift Processing Center, 310 So. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208.