Bella M. Neal

Bella M. "Mother Neal" Neal, 85 years old, a life-long resident of Limerick, ME died Monday morning, June 6, 2005 at the Harbor Home in York, ME.Bella was born in Sherbrooke, Canada on April 30, 1920. She was the daughter of Noel and Delia Bell Paradis, and moved to Limerick at a young age. She married Robert S. Neal, and together they raised eleven children. Most folks around Limerick affectionately knew her as "Mother Neal".Bella started working at a young age, and for over 40 years she worked as a spinner in the Westbrook Spinning Mill. Bella would work evenings, while her husband worked days in order to stay home with their children, instead of them going to a babysitter. Bella loved babies, as her grandchildren came along she would jump at the opportunity to feed and rock the latest baby. As a loving and affectionate "Grammie", Bella made a profound impact on the lives of her grandchildren.Bella enjoyed some of the simpler things in life, such as doing outside chores, tending to her flower garden, and feeding the birds. Her favorite meal to prepare was salmon loaf with white sauce and peas. Small town life was where it was at for Bella, and her home was always a welcome place for her family and friends.Predeceasing Bella was her husband Robert, and their children Ronald Neal and Patricia Whiteley.Surviving are five sons; Bruce of Hollis, ME, Gerry of Winnabow, NC, Jeffrey of Tamworth, NH, Scott of Standish, ME, and Kevin of Saco; four daughters, Gloria Nicosia, of Tyngsboro, MA, Linda Heatley of Springvale, ME, Judy LePage of Limerick, ME, and Cathy Webber of Kennebunk, ME; 18 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, Roger Paradis of NH, and a sister Therese Hurtubise of NH.A period of visitation for Bella will be held on Wednesday June 8, 2005 from 6 to 8 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale, ME; where a funeral service will be held on Thursday the 9th at 10:00 AM. Committal services for Bella will be held at Highland Annex Cemetery in Limerick.In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital, c/o Maine Medical Center, 22 Bramhall St., Portland, ME 04106.