Greenfield community leader Sandra McNeil dies
Longtime Greenfield businesswoman and community leader Sandra McNeil has died.
McNeil was 77.
A graduate of McClain High School, McNeil worked for Home Building and Loan in Greenfield for nearly 40 years, retiring in 2012. She also served many years as a member of the State Savings and Loan Associations Board.
In 1973, McNeil began her service as a board member of the Greenfield Area Medical Center and was instrumental in keeping the hospital open. After its affiliation with Adena Regional Medical Center, she became a member of the Adena Foundation Board.
McNeil was a founding member of the Greenfield Foundation, serving in the positions of treasurer and secretary for over 10 years, and was the longtime treasurer of the Greenfield Historical Society. Because of her work and vision, the Smith Tannery and the Old Stone Schoolhouse, now the Konneker Education Museum, were saved and stand today for future generations. She and her family also contributed to the 2001 restoration of the Greenfield City Building.
McNeil also served as a teacher for 27 years, working as a knitting instructor for adult education classes offered at McClain High School and as the mentor for the Tuesday Night Knitters group. She was also the artistic director for the annual Y.O. Knitting Camp, an intense weeklong study in knitting.
McNeil was also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she held the positions of trustee, deacon and choir director, along with numerous volunteer roles.
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In 2009, McNeil was inducted into the Highland County Women’s Hall of Fame. She was also inducted into the Edward Lee McClain Hall of Fame in 2014.
McNeil volunteered for numerous organizations in the Greenfield area. She was a member and officer of Y-Gradale Sorority, Greenfield Mothers’ Club and Coterie, all of which helped raise money for Greenfield children and special projects. When Greenfield adopted a Bosnian refuge family, she coordinated the fundraising and was instrumental in helping this family obtain housing, a job and needed medical care.
McNeil was an avid supporter of the Little League program and joined with the Rotary in restoration of the Ralph Phillips Armory Center, by helping in the Windows Replacement Project.
"Sandra’s love for the people is reflected in the buildings and programs in existence today that she, with her spirit and joy, contributed to this community," said her obituary.
McNeil is survived by her husband, Lowell H. McNeil, of Greenfield, and their five children, Jennifer (Buddy) Kennedy and Stuart (Kelley) McNeil of Greenfield, Kevin (Susan) McNeil of Westerville, Tom McNeil of Portage, Ind. and Anna (Tom) Rinehart of Worthington. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenfield, 457 Jefferson Street, Greenfield, Ohio 45123. Burial will follow in Greenfield Cemetery.
A visitation will be held 4-8 p.m. Monday at the church. The Murray-Fettro Funeral Home of Greenfield is serving the family.