Alice A. McNeil

Alice Ann (Ostrom) McNeil, 80, died peacefully Saturday, July 4, 2009 at Victoria Haven Nursing Home in Norwood. She was surrounded by family at the time of her death.

Mrs. McNeil was born October 24, 1928, a year to the day before Stock Market crash of 1929, and was raised during the Great Depression. The values of frugality and self-reliance learned during those trying times would govern her decisions for the rest of her life, and she endeavored to pass those values on to her children and grandchildren.

A member of the Walpole High School 1946 class, Mrs. McNeil also graduated from the Henry O. Peabody School in Norwood. She worked for four decades as a server at several fine-dining restaurants in the area such as the Lord Fox, Cornetta's Iron Horse, The LaFayette House, and Luciano's. She always had a loyal clientele because she looked after her customers as if they were her own family.

When it came to family, Mrs. McNeil always put them before herself, being generous with her time and talent a'" especially as a baker of delicious desserts. She also showered her grandchildren with praise and the occasional $10 bill for a job well done. Growing up on Plimpton Street in Walpole, Mrs. McNeil was the daughter of Mary (Murray) and Helge Ostrom. She lived most of her life in Walpole, raising her three children on Flonun Street, where she lived out her last days.

Mrs. McNeil is survived by her three children and their spouses, Mary and Robert Peckham of Lago Vista, Texas, Joan Lavallee and Brian Flahive of Walpole, and James and Nancy McNeil of Foxboro. The oldest of four children, Mrs. McNeil leaves her siblings, Mary "Betty" (Hall) and Roy Gebhardt of Norwood, Edward and Natalie Ostrom of Sandwich, and Deanna and the late-Frederick Pierce of Dennisport.

She was also the beloved "Nana" of Michelle (Peckham) and James Decker of Round Rock, Texas, Timothy and Susan (Mulvey) Lavallee of Wake Forest, N.C., Robert Peckham of Morristown, New Jersey, and Daniel, Thomas, and William McNeil, all of Foxboro. She was also the dear great-grandmother of Jake and Alyssa Decker of Round Rock, Texas and Gregory Lavallee of Wake Forest, N.C.; and she adored her several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church East Street (Route 27) at Diamond Street Walpole on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 10AM. Visiting hours are Tuesday, July 7, 2009 from 4-8PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home 48 Common Street Walpole. Interment in Saint Francis Cemetery Walpole.