Susan Elizabeth McNeil

Susan Elizabeth McNeil (Ross)

12/27/1937 - 10/25/2023

Passed in Greeneville, TN, from Alzheimer’s and heart failure at the age of 85.

Born in 1937, Susan spent most of her childhood in Maryland. She married her husband, Jim, in 1956. They were married 60 years when he passed away in 2017. Susan spent 30 years as a civil servant working in high value positions for the Department of the Army. She received numerous accolades for her work including the prestigious Meritorious Civilian Service Award. She retired her position in 1993 to pursue her and Jim’s dreams of traveling.

Upon retirement they sold their home in Maryland and bought a park model in Sun City Arizona, near Susan’s sister. They traveled the country part-time and spent winters in Arizona. Her all time favorite trip was Alaska where she got up close to polar bears. As they became older, they spent summer in Colorado and continued to winter in Arizona. As Jim’s health declined they sold their motorhome and stayed full-time in Sun City. Susan was an avid crafter and spent much of her free time sewing, crocheting, making clowns, beading, or any other craft that caught her attention.

After Jim’s passing in 2017, Susan, along with her sister and brother-in-law, relocated to East Tennessee to be near her niece. Before COVID, she enjoyed attending the many festivals in her new home. She especially liked music shows like the Fiddler’s Convention or the Johnny Cash Impersonator. During those first few years they saw many local attractions. She loved her Tennessee home, especially watching wildlife in the yard.

Susan is survived by her niece Yvonne Bingaman and husband Barry, great-niece Amie Sweeney and husband John, great-great-nephew Lucas Sweeney (who always made her laugh by calling her Aunt Hoosan), and her Brother-in-Law and Caregiver Dan Brickson. She is also survived by cousins and extended family.

Susan was preceded in death by her husband Jim, her parents Walter and Elizabeth Ross, and her sister Pat Brickson.

Donations should be made to the Alzheimer’s Association https://alz.org