McNeil, Corrinne M.

M. Corinne McNeil, 93, of Postville, died Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010, at Stoney Brook Village in West Union following a brief illness. Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday at 11 a.m. at St. Bridget's Catholic Church, Postville. The Very Rev. Richard Gaul will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery in Clermont, Iowa. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. (Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m.) at the Schutte-Grau Funeral Home in Postville; also, one hour visitation at the Church before Mass.

(Mary) Corinne McNeil, daughter of Thomas E. and Eva (Tenney) Conboy, was born May 6, 1916, on the family farm near Volga City. She graduated from Volga High School in 1933. Corinne worked in Oelwein before her marriage. On June 24, 1941, she married Joseph E. McNeil at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Volga City. To this union, four children were born: Mary Jo, Kathleen, Virginia, and Thomas. The couple lived on the family farm until 1973 when they retired and moved to Postville.

Corinne served on the election board for Grand Meadow Township, and was a longtime volunteer at the Postville Library and for Meals on Wheels. She served as bookkeeper for St. Bridget's parish for many years.

Survivors include three children, Kathleen Meyer, Spillville; Virginia (Ed) Barnes, Cedar Rapids; Thomas (Susan) McNeil, Mesa, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren: Fabian Macken Jr., Erin (Jerry) Thiel, Carolyn (Kevin) Hemesath, Deborah (Doug) Thorsen, Christine (Lee) Woodson, Thomas Barnes (fiancé Kim Bragington), Brian Barnes, Jennifer Barnes (fiancé Timothy Richards), Mary McNeil, Katie McNeil, Ryan McNeil; and four great-grandchildren, Blaine and Kyle Woodson, Nate Bryant, and Henry Long.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings; her husband, Joe; a daughter, Mary Jo Macken; a great-granddaughter, Taylor Macken; and a son-in-law, Lewis Meyer.

Corinne was always a tough opponent when she played cards, and her sense of humor never deserted her. She was proud of her Irish heritage and thought if you were lucky enough to be Irish, you were “lucky enough.”

Her Catholic faith was a treasure to her, and she always felt great joy and gratitude for all of God's blessings. She was an inspiration to her family, and thankful for good friends and neighbors.