Lenna Mcneill

On November 5th, 2021 Lenna Jean McNeill (nee Cossaboom) died at home surrounded by immediate family. Lenna was the daughter of Vinton and Lois (nee Morse) Cossaboom and was born December 28th 1943 in Saint John New Brunswick as the 2nd of 6 children. She was predeceased by her parents and her son Philip Ashley McNeill. She is survived by: her husband Hugh; her daughter Althea Savard (Daniel); her grandchildren Adam and Jessica Savard; as well as three brothers: Winston (Mary), Gerald (Jenette), and Steven (Heather) and two sisters: Joan Blair (John) and Thelma Mourik (Bill). She is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Raised on the west side of Saint John, Lenna spent many summers on Grand Manan as well as off the coast on White Head Island with her immediate and extended family. She graduated from Saint John Vocational School in 1961 and worked as a secretary for Gorman-Cane Insurance Adjusters from 1961-1965 before resigning from her position to become a full-time mother and homemaker. Lenna married Hugh McNeill on April 5th 1963, and they moved to Toronto Ontario in 1965 when Hugh was transferred there by the Bank of Canada. In the spring of 1966, Hugh was transferred again this time to Ottawa. They have resided in Ottawa ever since where they raised their family and made a life together.  In Ottawa they were actively involved at Bromley Road Baptist Church for many years.  In their retirement years, Lenna and Hugh enjoyed returning to New Brunswick to visit their daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren. Vacation time each year was most often spent in PEI or NS and less frequently in NFLD.  They also enjoyed the opportunity to travel for seven weeks in New-Zealand and Australia in 1999 and taking a six week trip across Canada in 2001.

Many thanks to Dr. Douglas and the entire palliative care team for their compassion, and for making her last days as peaceful and comfortable as possible.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that a donation be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

A celebration of life is to be held at a later date in New Brunswick.