1921 ~ 2003
Surrounded by her children, Betty Ann Holmes McNeil formerly of Wayzata, Minnesota, and La Jolla, California, died on Friday, November 7, 2003, at the Christus St. Joseph's nursing home.
Betty Ann was born Aug 24, 1921, in Ekalaka, WY the daughter of Harry S. Holmes, M.D. and Leona Hooper Holmes. She came to Salt Lake City in 1939 to attend Westminster College.
When World War II broke out, she joined her parents in San Diego, where her father served as an Army surgeon at Camp Pendleton. There she met her future husband, Captain James McNeil, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, having just returned from a tour of duty in the Pacific theater. They were married Dec 13, 1945.
Jim went on to work for the Pillsbury Company, starting in Ogden, UT settling in Minneapolis, MN where he was vice-president of flour production until his death in 1973.
Betty Ann moved to La Jolla, CA after his death, where she remained until her recent return to Salt Lake City to spend her remaining days with her son and grandsons.
She is survived by her son, James C. McNeil, Jr. president of United Concerts, his wife, Gail, and sons, C.J. (16), Wyatt (12); daughter, Mary Ann McNeil Higgins, and her husband, David Higgins, Minneapolis, MN.
She left behind many beautiful needlepoint items and other art objects from her extensive international travel. She donated these to The Assistance League of Salt Lake City, and Christus St. Joseph's Villa to continue their philanthropic projects for the people of Salt Lake City.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Mon. 10 a.m. St. Joseph Villa Chapel 451 E. Bishop Federal Lane, where friends may call 9-9:45 a.m. Committal Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery 4th Ave. and "T" St. Directors, Neil O'Donnell and Sons Mortuary.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of St. Joseph's for their kindness, patience, and care at the end of her life.
We wish our mother and grandmother, a peaceful journey and a joyous reuniting with the family and friends that have preceded her in death.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be sent to the James C. McNeil scholarship fund at Westminster College, 1840 S. 1300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105.