NORWICH – Alice (Louise) Mathews Neill, 89, of 17 Ridgeland Road, Norwich, passed away peacefully in her home with family members at her side on Friday, July 17, 2009.
She began her journey here on Earth on March 6, 1920, in Ada, Ohio, the daughter of James Davenport Mathews and Laura Mae Wilson.
She graduated from Mansfield High School, Mansfield, Ohio in 1938. She went on to receive a B.A. in Education from Maryville College in 1944, and an M.A. in English from Colgate University in 1972.
Alice has been a significant contributing member of the Norwich community for 59 years. She was employed by the Norwich School System as an English teacher for 19 years until her retirement in 1984. Alice received many accolades during her school tenure, including Best Teacher. She has been a devoted long time member of the United Church of Christ, First Congregational. Alice was active in on various church boards and committees including serving on the Selection and Search Committee for New Ministers and acting as church moderator in 1973. Alice joined her husband Alex in Rotary International Foundation’s 3H program, in a humanitarian working-visit to Peru, where she acted as liaison and teacher to the villagers and students from ages 7 to 57 years. As a result of this humanitarian work, Alice was later presented Rotary International’s prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship award.
Alice, along with her husband, loved traveling the world and exploring many countries and cultures. Countries experienced: England, Germany, France, Italy, Egypt, Israel, Zimbabwe, Peru, Russia, India, Canada, and Mexico.
Alice had many passions and devoted her spirit with intensity to everything she did. She had a significant love of reading and participated in a local Book Club for nearly 30 years. Alice was a respected source for many who sought her counsel and advice on all sorts of issues. She was an extremely well grounded person and loved to give back to those in need. She valued giving back so much, she chose education as her vocation and it became her life’s passion. Her ability to teach was profound. This was her highest form of community service – teaching and inspiring others to make their own unique contribution.
Of course, Alice’s greatest passion was for the love of her life, her late husband Alex, and her family. Alice and Alex were blessed with a truly beautiful and completely devoted relationship throughout 57 years of marriage.
Alice Mathews Neill is survived by four sons, a grandchild, and a brother: Alexander Bold Neill, Jr., of Norwich; Jonathan Mathews Neill and his wife Diana, of Chehalis, Washington; Kenneth Hunter Neill and his wife Suzanne (Denning) of Durham, North Carolina; and Joseph Donaldson Neill and Renea Diane Been of Houston, Texas; grandchild, Katherine Mathews Neill, of Durham, North Carolina; and brother Bishop James K. Mathews of Washington, D.C.
The belief in the uniqueness of all human beings was so well embodied by Alice and felt by those whom she encountered whether they were students, close friends or strangers. Her contributions live on through those she addressed. Alice will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all those who were touched by her presence.
Funeral services are set for Saturday, July 25 at 2 p.m. at the United Church of Christ 11 West Main Street, Norwich. Funeral services are under the direction and arrangement of Wilson Funeral Home of Norwich.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. Condolences can be sent to the family thru the Wilson Funeral Home website www.wilsonfh.com.