VIOLET MAE NEAL

PITTSFIELD – Violet Mae Neal, 85, passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, surrounded by her loving family, at Sebasticook Valley Hospital, Pittsfield. She was born June 26, 1923, in Burnham, the daughter of Gay and Ida (Cole) Hamilton. She attended Burnham schools and in February 1945 she married Pearley Neal Sr. Violet was a wonderful homemaker. She and Pearley raised 15 children: nine sons and six daughters. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, knitting and working on puzzles. One of the most special times for her was visiting Dollywood. She really enjoyed her trips there. She is survived by her 12 children, Donna Rickard and her husband, Jerry, of Cape Canaveral, Fla., Linwood Neal and his wife, Marjorie, of Abbott, Judy Taylor and her partner, Phillip Dickey, of North Anson, Aaron Neal and his wife, Deborah, of Palmyra, Victor Neal and his wife, Sally, of Glenburn, Galen Neal and his wife, Carlene, of Unity, Robert Neal of Cape Canaveral, Fla., Dennis Neal and his partner, Florence Porter, of Unity, Deatra Lancaster and her husband, Greg, of Trenton, Darla Neal and her partner, Roy Harris, of Canaan, Clayton Neal and his wife, Trudy, of Old Town and Erica Leavitt and her partner, Mohi Alwearley, of Cape Canaveral, Fla.; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Iona Strout of Trenton and Teresa McQuinn of Bar Harbor; her brother, Ernest Tait of Florida; and two very special friends, Mary and Margaret McKracklain of Titusville, Fla. She was predeceased by her husband, Pearley in 1989; three children, Pearley Neal Jr., Arlo McDougal and Amelia Cooley; several brothers and sisters. The family will receive friends 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, 191 Hartland Ave., Pittsfield, with a funeral service 2 p.m. with the Rev. Ricky Parker officiating. Interment will be afterward at Palmyra Village Cemetery, Warren Hill Road, Palmyra. There will be a gathering after the committal at Hartland Full Gospel Church, 164 Elm St., Hartland. Arrangements are entrusted to Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, 191 Hartland Ave., Pittsfield. To sign an online guest book and leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.shoreynichols.com.