Elizabeth J. Neveu, 87
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Elizabeth Josephine Neveu, 87, of 129 Glen Ave. died on Sept. 12, 2015.
Born in North Adams on March 30, 1928, a daughter of Henry and Josephine Hoettle Brice, she attended the former St. Joseph's High School. As a young married woman with five young children, she attended what was then North Adams State Teachers College with the support of her mother and husband, Alfred Neveu. She was a full-time student in an era when non-traditional students were uncommon. She proudly graduated magna cum laude in 1961.
Mrs. Neveu taught at the former Johnson Elementary School for many years.
An accomplished pianist, she loved singing with her family, playing bridge, and played a mean game of "Spoons." She and her family enjoyed many memorable camping trips. In her golden years, she and her husband traveled in Europe, revisiting many of the battlefields and other locations Mr. Neveu had been stationed at during World War II, as well as visiting with her extended family in Alsace, France, whom she remained in contact with throughout her long life. In her later years, Mrs. Neveu discovered and adored the Amish country of Pennsylvania, visiting often with her husband and, after his passing, with her daughters.
Her faith was very important to her, and she was an active member of Blackinton Union Church, where she enjoyed Bible study and the fellowship and love of her church family. With a keen wit, Mrs. Neveu delighted in good-natured political arguments with her family, conceding nothing over the years. Family was first and foremost for her, and she and her husband were blessed with a fulfilling lifetime of meaningful birthday parties, family picnics, Sunday dinners, dance recitals, band concerts, holidays, graduations, and anniversaries.
She will be forever missed by her family and friends, and her adored grandchildren.
Her husband, whom she married in October 1946, died on Feb. 18, 2005.
She leaves two daughters, Linda O'Connell and her husband, Brian, of North Adams, and Mary Leitch and her husband, James, of Adams; two sons, Michael Neveu and his wife, Jane, of Fort Worth, Texas, and James Neveu of Brattleboro, Vt.; five grandchildren, Shaun O'Connell and his wife, Lisa, of Middleboro, Christopher O'Connell and his wife, Jennifer, of Tolland, Conn., Katherine Leitch and her husband, Terence Kooyker, of New York City, Joseph Neveu Schwarz of Pittsfield, Michael Neveu and his wife, Lisa, of Denver, and Brian Neveu and his fiancée, Nicolle Bowlingh, of Austin, Texas; her two beloved great-grandchildren, Grace O'Connell of Tolland and Garrett Kooyker of New York City, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Her son David Neveu and her sisters Margaret Brice and Florence McKane are deceased.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Funeral services for Mrs. Neveu will be held Thursday, Sept.
17, at 11 a.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
A calling hour will precede the service beginning at 10. Memorial donations may be made to Blackinton Union Church, through the funeral home.
Mrs. Neveu's family would like to express their profound gratitude to Pastor Eugene Kemp and her Blackinton Union family, as well as to her beloved friends and caregivers Theresa Zelazo and Gerri Ballou, and her hospice nurse Gloria Richards.