Rita L. (Celino) McNeil – 94,of North Reading and formerly of East Boston, passed away at her home on Friday, December 31, 2021. She was the beloved wife of 66 years to the late Walter J. McNeil.
Born in Medford, MA on February 17, 1927. She was the daughter of the late Frank and Lucy A. (Bruno) Celino. Rita was a graduate of East Boston High School.
She was one of the first woman school bus drivers of North Reading. She also worked for the North Reading Transcript with her lifelong friend Millie Lytle. Rita has been a resident of North Reading for the past 72 years and a member of St. Theresa’s Church.
Rita was a homemaker and dedicated to her family. She always took care of everyone and all of the animals. She always enjoyed riding horse back in the day.
Family members include her loving children, Walter J. “Buster” McNeil, Jr., Christine Wiese and her husband John, Francis McNeil and Patrick McNeil and his wife Shelby Aimes and the late John McNeil and his surviving wife Eileen McNeil; 8 grandchildren, Linda, Michael, Christopher, Kyle, Danielle, Kelly, Maria and Megan; 9 great grandchildren, Christopher, Brooke, Gabe, Nicholas, Leilani, Alivia, Miles, Aidan and Kayla.
Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Saturday, January 8 at 10:45 AM, followed by a Noon Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rt. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, January 7 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the MSPCA, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.
CONDOLENCES to the McNeil family
Condolences to the whole family. I worked with Rita at the Transcript…she was such a sweet person….I loved her!
Thoughts & prayers to the McNeil family
RIP Rita, our condolences to the McNeil Family from John, Sean, & Tracey Dillon. Rita you will be missed.
McNeil Family,
So sorry for the loss of your mom but I am sure your dad greeted her with open arms. May God Bless all of you at this difficult time.
Linda Puglia Strob
RIP Rita you will be missed ! McNeil family I am so sorry for your loss ❤️ Richie,Wendy Taylor Family
My sincere condolences to Rita’s family. Many, many years we spent Wednesday nights together getting the TranscripT ready for the mail. She was such a soft spoken wonderful person.
RIP Aunt Rita, our condolences to the McNeil family. I am sure Uncle Walter was there to greet her. God Bless all of you.
my condolences to the whole family for the loss of a great woman, who kept a large family through good and bad times together she was a big part of my young life and now she back with her husband.. rest peacefully ……. god bless j
My condolences to The McNeil’s family Rita would always welcome you in with always sharing a great big smile. My prays and thoughts RIP