Ellen G. (Simpson) MacNeil of Billerica, died on Oct. 7, 2015, at the age of 67. She is the beloved wife of retired Watertown Police Officer Henry E.“Henny” MacNeil.
Daughter of the late James V. and Dorothy (Hutchins) Simpson. Dear sister of Elaine D. Dorion of Watertown and James V. Simpson, Jr. of Scituate and dear sister-in-law of Donald MacNeil of Westford and the late Leonard MacNeil of Burlington.
Loving aunt of Lauren Dorion, Ryan, Kelsey and Jake Simpson, David MacNeil, Tommy MacNeil, Theresa MacNeil Wilson, Lisa MacNeil Ranieri, Michael, John, James, Alice, Leonard, Paul, Mark, Richard & Daniel MacNeil and the late Benjamin MacNeil. Also loved by great-nieces & nephews Krystal and Kailyn MacNeil, Jake Cullen, Luke & Rocco MacNeil, Maison Wilson, Andrew, Paul and John Ranieri.
Raised in Watertown, Ellen was a graduate of Watertown High School. She went on to work for John Hancock in Boston as a Meeting Planner for 37 years until her retirement, where she made many beloved lifelong friends. Ellen truly loved animals and, years after her own pets had passed, she was a magnet for the neighborhood pups, who would come happily to her door for a visit and a biscuit.
Ellen was very fond of Italy and traveled there in 2011, taking in the sights and sounds of the historic country and especially admiring the Amalfi Coast. She often spent the colder New England months in Florida with her husband of 32 years, Henny, visiting Marco Island and Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.
Ellen loved to spend time on the golf course with her husband, often beating him at the game. She took pride in her beautiful garden and decorated her surroundings with love and great attention to detail, much like an artist would. She never missed a Patriots game or the chance to root for her favorite player Rob “GRONK” Gronkowski.
Anyone that knew Ellen, knew that she had a certain flare for life that continued to shine brightly in spite of the obstacles that stood in her way. She was a fighter. She loved her family fiercely.
A celebration of Ellen’s life will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the American Legion Joseph F. Hill Post 156 located at 215 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA, 02452. Family & friends kindly invited. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to the MSPCA, 350 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.