One of the first female bus drivers in town; dedicated to her family
NORTH READING — Rita L. (Celino) McNeil, 94, of North Reading and formerly of East Boston, passed away at her home on Friday, December 31, 2021. She was the beloved wife of 66 years to the late Walter J. McNeil.
Born in Medford on February 17, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Lucy A. (Bruno) Celino. Rita was a graduate of East Boston High School.
She was one of the first woman school bus drivers of North Reading in the early 1960s. She also worked for the North Reading Transcript with her lifelong friend Millie Lytle. Rita was a resident of North Reading for the past 72 years and was a member of St. Theresa’s Church.
Rita was a homemaker and dedicated to her family. She always took care of everyone and all of the animals. She always enjoyed riding horse back in the day.
Family members include her loving children, Walter J. “Buster” McNeil, Jr., Christine Wiese and her husband John, Francis McNeil, and Patrick McNeil and his wife Shelby Aimes, and the late John McNeil and his surviving wife Eileen McNeil; eight grandchildren, Linda, Michael, Christopher, Kyle, Danielle, Kelly, Maria and Megan; and nine great-grandchildren, Christopher, Brooke, Gabe, Nicholas, Leilani, Alivia, Miles, Aidan and Kayla.
Her funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Saturday, January 8 at 10:45 a.m., followed by a noon funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter Street (Rte. 62), North Reading. Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Friday, January 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.
Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the MSPCA, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.
To leave an online message of condolence, visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
