Sr. Stella M. Neill R.S.M.
Preceded in death by parents Charles and Catherine Kean Neill and Martin Weinfurtner and Jeanette Robinson Mount; siblings Eugene, George, Theresa, Martin, Ida; nephew Chuck Casey. Survived by siblings Sharon Neill, Carol Neill Casey, Bob, Paul, Jeanette.
SERVICES Saturday 10:30am Holy Cross Catholic Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. VISITATION begins Friday 6pm with Vigil Service at 7pm at Mercy High School. Memorials to Anawim Housing or Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund.
JOHN A. GENTLEMAN MORTUARIES
72nd STREET CHAPEL
1010 North 72nd St.
Omaha, NE. 391-1664
∼Sister Stella Marie Neill, RSM, Director of Development for the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community, died Wednesday, Dec. 7, in a car accident. She was 68 and this year had celebrated her 50th year as a Sister of Mercy.
She was a visionary leader with passion for social work and compassion for the poor. She saw needs in the communities in which she lived and sought the ways and the funding to meet those needs.
"During her 50 years as a Sister of Mercy, Sister Stella has left a legacy of leadership and service to the Sisters of Mercy Community, to the elderly she served at McAuley Bergan Center in Omaha, to the parishioners she touched during her years of ministry in the Diocese of Des Moines, and to the many poor families she helped through 22 years of leadership at Anawim Housing in Des Moines," said Sister Norita Cooney, president of the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community. "She was a compassionate, caring woman who touched so many people in so many different ways. She will continue to be a part of our life and our ministry of Mercy."
Sister Stella was born Nov.11, 1942 in Omaha, Neb., to Martin Weinfurtner and Jeanette Robinson Mount. As a child, she was cared for by Sisters of Mercy at St. James Orphanage. She was adopted by Charles and Catherine (Kean) Neill. Sister Stella attended Holy Cross Grade School and Mercy High School. Sisters of Mercy were her teachers in grade school and high school and an inspiration to her. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1960. She graduated in 1965 from College of Saint Mary with a major in elementary education and nearly a major in sociology. In 1974, she earned a Master's Degree in social work from the University of Nebraska.
She began her ministry as a school teacher at All Saints School in Des Moines, Iowa, (1965-68) and then at St. Joseph School in Williston, N.D. (1968-71). She also directed the religious education programs in those parishes, learning the importance of a parish community.
Her real love was social work and helping the poor and those in need; one of the reasons she chose the Sisters of Mercy as a religious order. It was in the early 1970s that she and other sisters saw a need in Southeast Omaha to help elderly people remain safely in their homes. After doing research on the needs, they founded the McAuley Bergan Center to provide outreach services to the elderly. Sister Stella became the director. She and other sisters developed transportation services, home visits, senior tours, hot meals and an adult day center located at 35th and Farnam St. in Omaha. The services continue today at the Franciscan Centre on North 90th Street.
From 1981 to 1987, she was director of planning and pastoral councils for the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines. There, she implemented planning processes involving churches throughout the Diocese, including improving the structure and management of the Diocese.
In 1987, she and a group of people in Des Moines identified the need for safe, affordable housing for people with limited incomes. Anawim Housing was born. During her 22 years as executive director, the organization grew from the rehabilitation of a single duplex in 1988 to the development and management of some 221 units in 2010. When Bishop Richard E. Pates of the Diocese of Des Moines learned of her death, he wrote: "We are very much aware of Sister Stella's enormous contributions to her religious community, to the Diocese of Des Moines, to the religious women in this diocese and her indefatigable leadership and service to the poor through the housing projects of Anawim and most recently the housing initiative of Christ the King Parish."
Despite her busy ministry schedule with Anawim Housing, she also found time to serve on the Extended Leadership Team for the Sisters of Mercy Omaha Regional Community. She served from 1998 to 2008. She is remembered as a mission-focused and proactive leader who brought gifts of critical analysis and insight to the leadership team.
Over the years, Sister Stella received many honors, including: recognition in 1999 by the Des Moines Area Religious Council during its annual Interfaith Service Awards for her service to the community; an Excellence in Historic Preservation award presented by the City Council of Des Moines to her and the project team for renovating the Maine Apartment Building and Carriage House in Des Moines; and in 2004 recognition by the Iowa Region of the National Conference for Community and Justice for distinguished leadership in human relations and community service. When she decided to step down as executive director after 22 years, she took time to think about what her next ministry would be. It was at the same time the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community was looking for a person to lead its development area. She was the right person for this new ministry and was named to that new role in July.
She is preceded in death by parents Martin Weinfurtner and Jeanette Robinson Mount; adoptive parents Charles and Catherine G. Kean; siblings Eugene, George, Theresa, Martin and Ida; and nephew Chuck Casey. She is survived by siblings by Sharon Neill, Carol Neill Casey, Bob, Paul and Jeanette; and by her Sisters of Mercy family.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Holy Cross Church, 4803 William St. in Omaha with burial following in Resurrection Cemetery. The Diocese of Des Moines is having a prayer service for Sr. Stella Neill on Tuesday, Dec.14 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Ambrose Cathedral. The Bishop will be participating in this service. Memorial are suggested to Anawim Housing, 2024 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311, and to Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund, 7262 Mercy Road, Omaha, NE 68124
Sister Stella had an impact on so many communities and individuals.
Preceded in death by parents Charles and Catherine Kean Neill and Martin Weinfurtner and Jeanette Robinson Mount; siblings Eugene, George, Theresa, Martin, Ida; nephew Chuck Casey. Survived by siblings Sharon Neill, Carol Neill Casey, Bob, Paul, Jeanette.
SERVICES Saturday 10:30am Holy Cross Catholic Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. VISITATION begins Friday 6pm with Vigil Service at 7pm at Mercy High School. Memorials to Anawim Housing or Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund.
JOHN A. GENTLEMAN MORTUARIES
72nd STREET CHAPEL
1010 North 72nd St.
Omaha, NE. 391-1664
∼Sister Stella Marie Neill, RSM, Director of Development for the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community, died Wednesday, Dec. 7, in a car accident. She was 68 and this year had celebrated her 50th year as a Sister of Mercy.
She was a visionary leader with passion for social work and compassion for the poor. She saw needs in the communities in which she lived and sought the ways and the funding to meet those needs.
"During her 50 years as a Sister of Mercy, Sister Stella has left a legacy of leadership and service to the Sisters of Mercy Community, to the elderly she served at McAuley Bergan Center in Omaha, to the parishioners she touched during her years of ministry in the Diocese of Des Moines, and to the many poor families she helped through 22 years of leadership at Anawim Housing in Des Moines," said Sister Norita Cooney, president of the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community. "She was a compassionate, caring woman who touched so many people in so many different ways. She will continue to be a part of our life and our ministry of Mercy."
Sister Stella was born Nov.11, 1942 in Omaha, Neb., to Martin Weinfurtner and Jeanette Robinson Mount. As a child, she was cared for by Sisters of Mercy at St. James Orphanage. She was adopted by Charles and Catherine (Kean) Neill. Sister Stella attended Holy Cross Grade School and Mercy High School. Sisters of Mercy were her teachers in grade school and high school and an inspiration to her. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1960. She graduated in 1965 from College of Saint Mary with a major in elementary education and nearly a major in sociology. In 1974, she earned a Master's Degree in social work from the University of Nebraska.
She began her ministry as a school teacher at All Saints School in Des Moines, Iowa, (1965-68) and then at St. Joseph School in Williston, N.D. (1968-71). She also directed the religious education programs in those parishes, learning the importance of a parish community.
Her real love was social work and helping the poor and those in need; one of the reasons she chose the Sisters of Mercy as a religious order. It was in the early 1970s that she and other sisters saw a need in Southeast Omaha to help elderly people remain safely in their homes. After doing research on the needs, they founded the McAuley Bergan Center to provide outreach services to the elderly. Sister Stella became the director. She and other sisters developed transportation services, home visits, senior tours, hot meals and an adult day center located at 35th and Farnam St. in Omaha. The services continue today at the Franciscan Centre on North 90th Street.
From 1981 to 1987, she was director of planning and pastoral councils for the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines. There, she implemented planning processes involving churches throughout the Diocese, including improving the structure and management of the Diocese.
In 1987, she and a group of people in Des Moines identified the need for safe, affordable housing for people with limited incomes. Anawim Housing was born. During her 22 years as executive director, the organization grew from the rehabilitation of a single duplex in 1988 to the development and management of some 221 units in 2010. When Bishop Richard E. Pates of the Diocese of Des Moines learned of her death, he wrote: "We are very much aware of Sister Stella's enormous contributions to her religious community, to the Diocese of Des Moines, to the religious women in this diocese and her indefatigable leadership and service to the poor through the housing projects of Anawim and most recently the housing initiative of Christ the King Parish."
Despite her busy ministry schedule with Anawim Housing, she also found time to serve on the Extended Leadership Team for the Sisters of Mercy Omaha Regional Community. She served from 1998 to 2008. She is remembered as a mission-focused and proactive leader who brought gifts of critical analysis and insight to the leadership team.
Over the years, Sister Stella received many honors, including: recognition in 1999 by the Des Moines Area Religious Council during its annual Interfaith Service Awards for her service to the community; an Excellence in Historic Preservation award presented by the City Council of Des Moines to her and the project team for renovating the Maine Apartment Building and Carriage House in Des Moines; and in 2004 recognition by the Iowa Region of the National Conference for Community and Justice for distinguished leadership in human relations and community service. When she decided to step down as executive director after 22 years, she took time to think about what her next ministry would be. It was at the same time the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community was looking for a person to lead its development area. She was the right person for this new ministry and was named to that new role in July.
She is preceded in death by parents Martin Weinfurtner and Jeanette Robinson Mount; adoptive parents Charles and Catherine G. Kean; siblings Eugene, George, Theresa, Martin and Ida; and nephew Chuck Casey. She is survived by siblings by Sharon Neill, Carol Neill Casey, Bob, Paul and Jeanette; and by her Sisters of Mercy family.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Holy Cross Church, 4803 William St. in Omaha with burial following in Resurrection Cemetery. The Diocese of Des Moines is having a prayer service for Sr. Stella Neill on Tuesday, Dec.14 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Ambrose Cathedral. The Bishop will be participating in this service. Memorial are suggested to Anawim Housing, 2024 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311, and to Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund, 7262 Mercy Road, Omaha, NE 68124
Sister Stella had an impact on so many communities and individuals.
Sr. Stella M. Neill R.S.M.
Preceded in death by parents Charles and Catherine Kean Neill and Martin Weinfurtner and Jeanette Robinson Mount; siblings Eugene, George, Theresa, Martin, Ida; nephew Chuck Casey. Survived by siblings Sharon Neill, Carol Neill Casey, Bob, Paul, Jeanette.
SERVICES Saturday 10:30am Holy Cross Catholic Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. VISITATION begins Friday 6pm with Vigil Service at 7pm at Mercy High School. Memorials to Anawim Housing or Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund.
JOHN A. GENTLEMAN MORTUARIES
72nd STREET CHAPEL
1010 North 72nd St.
Omaha, NE. 391-1664
∼Sister Stella Marie Neill, RSM, Director of Development for the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community, died Wednesday, Dec. 7, in a car accident. She was 68 and this year had celebrated her 50th year as a Sister of Mercy.
She was a visionary leader with passion for social work and compassion for the poor. She saw needs in the communities in which she lived and sought the ways and the funding to meet those needs.
"During her 50 years as a Sister of Mercy, Sister Stella has left a legacy of leadership and service to the Sisters of Mercy Community, to the elderly she served at McAuley Bergan Center in Omaha, to the parishioners she touched during her years of ministry in the Diocese of Des Moines, and to the many poor families she helped through 22 years of leadership at Anawim Housing in Des Moines," said Sister Norita Cooney, president of the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community. "She was a compassionate, caring woman who touched so many people in so many different ways. She will continue to be a part of our life and our ministry of Mercy."
Sister Stella was born Nov.11, 1942 in Omaha, Neb., to Martin Weinfurtner and Jeanette Robinson Mount. As a child, she was cared for by Sisters of Mercy at St. James Orphanage. She was adopted by Charles and Catherine (Kean) Neill. Sister Stella attended Holy Cross Grade School and Mercy High School. Sisters of Mercy were her teachers in grade school and high school and an inspiration to her. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1960. She graduated in 1965 from College of Saint Mary with a major in elementary education and nearly a major in sociology. In 1974, she earned a Master's Degree in social work from the University of Nebraska.
She began her ministry as a school teacher at All Saints School in Des Moines, Iowa, (1965-68) and then at St. Joseph School in Williston, N.D. (1968-71). She also directed the religious education programs in those parishes, learning the importance of a parish community.
Her real love was social work and helping the poor and those in need; one of the reasons she chose the Sisters of Mercy as a religious order. It was in the early 1970s that she and other sisters saw a need in Southeast Omaha to help elderly people remain safely in their homes. After doing research on the needs, they founded the McAuley Bergan Center to provide outreach services to the elderly. Sister Stella became the director. She and other sisters developed transportation services, home visits, senior tours, hot meals and an adult day center located at 35th and Farnam St. in Omaha. The services continue today at the Franciscan Centre on North 90th Street.
From 1981 to 1987, she was director of planning and pastoral councils for the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines. There, she implemented planning processes involving churches throughout the Diocese, including improving the structure and management of the Diocese.
In 1987, she and a group of people in Des Moines identified the need for safe, affordable housing for people with limited incomes. Anawim Housing was born. During her 22 years as executive director, the organization grew from the rehabilitation of a single duplex in 1988 to the development and management of some 221 units in 2010. When Bishop Richard E. Pates of the Diocese of Des Moines learned of her death, he wrote: "We are very much aware of Sister Stella's enormous contributions to her religious community, to the Diocese of Des Moines, to the religious women in this diocese and her indefatigable leadership and service to the poor through the housing projects of Anawim and most recently the housing initiative of Christ the King Parish."
Despite her busy ministry schedule with Anawim Housing, she also found time to serve on the Extended Leadership Team for the Sisters of Mercy Omaha Regional Community. She served from 1998 to 2008. She is remembered as a mission-focused and proactive leader who brought gifts of critical analysis and insight to the leadership team.
Over the years, Sister Stella received many honors, including: recognition in 1999 by the Des Moines Area Religious Council during its annual Interfaith Service Awards for her service to the community; an Excellence in Historic Preservation award presented by the City Council of Des Moines to her and the project team for renovating the Maine Apartment Building and Carriage House in Des Moines; and in 2004 recognition by the Iowa Region of the National Conference for Community and Justice for distinguished leadership in human relations and community service. When she decided to step down as executive director after 22 years, she took time to think about what her next ministry would be. It was at the same time the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community was looking for a person to lead its development area. She was the right person for this new ministry and was named to that new role in July.
She is preceded in death by parents Martin Weinfurtner and Jeanette Robinson Mount; adoptive parents Charles and Catherine G. Kean; siblings Eugene, George, Theresa, Martin and Ida; and nephew Chuck Casey. She is survived by siblings by Sharon Neill, Carol Neill Casey, Bob, Paul and Jeanette; and by her Sisters of Mercy family.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Holy Cross Church, 4803 William St. in Omaha with burial following in Resurrection Cemetery. The Diocese of Des Moines is having a prayer service for Sr. Stella Neill on Tuesday, Dec.14 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Ambrose Cathedral. The Bishop will be participating in this service. Memorial are suggested to Anawim Housing, 2024 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311, and to Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund, 7262 Mercy Road, Omaha, NE 68124
Sister Stella had an impact on so many communities and individuals.
Preceded in death by parents Charles and Catherine Kean Neill and Martin Weinfurtner and Jeanette Robinson Mount; siblings Eugene, George, Theresa, Martin, Ida; nephew Chuck Casey. Survived by siblings Sharon Neill, Carol Neill Casey, Bob, Paul, Jeanette.
SERVICES Saturday 10:30am Holy Cross Catholic Church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. VISITATION begins Friday 6pm with Vigil Service at 7pm at Mercy High School. Memorials to Anawim Housing or Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund.
JOHN A. GENTLEMAN MORTUARIES
72nd STREET CHAPEL
1010 North 72nd St.
Omaha, NE. 391-1664
∼Sister Stella Marie Neill, RSM, Director of Development for the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community, died Wednesday, Dec. 7, in a car accident. She was 68 and this year had celebrated her 50th year as a Sister of Mercy.
She was a visionary leader with passion for social work and compassion for the poor. She saw needs in the communities in which she lived and sought the ways and the funding to meet those needs.
"During her 50 years as a Sister of Mercy, Sister Stella has left a legacy of leadership and service to the Sisters of Mercy Community, to the elderly she served at McAuley Bergan Center in Omaha, to the parishioners she touched during her years of ministry in the Diocese of Des Moines, and to the many poor families she helped through 22 years of leadership at Anawim Housing in Des Moines," said Sister Norita Cooney, president of the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community. "She was a compassionate, caring woman who touched so many people in so many different ways. She will continue to be a part of our life and our ministry of Mercy."
Sister Stella was born Nov.11, 1942 in Omaha, Neb., to Martin Weinfurtner and Jeanette Robinson Mount. As a child, she was cared for by Sisters of Mercy at St. James Orphanage. She was adopted by Charles and Catherine (Kean) Neill. Sister Stella attended Holy Cross Grade School and Mercy High School. Sisters of Mercy were her teachers in grade school and high school and an inspiration to her. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1960. She graduated in 1965 from College of Saint Mary with a major in elementary education and nearly a major in sociology. In 1974, she earned a Master's Degree in social work from the University of Nebraska.
She began her ministry as a school teacher at All Saints School in Des Moines, Iowa, (1965-68) and then at St. Joseph School in Williston, N.D. (1968-71). She also directed the religious education programs in those parishes, learning the importance of a parish community.
Her real love was social work and helping the poor and those in need; one of the reasons she chose the Sisters of Mercy as a religious order. It was in the early 1970s that she and other sisters saw a need in Southeast Omaha to help elderly people remain safely in their homes. After doing research on the needs, they founded the McAuley Bergan Center to provide outreach services to the elderly. Sister Stella became the director. She and other sisters developed transportation services, home visits, senior tours, hot meals and an adult day center located at 35th and Farnam St. in Omaha. The services continue today at the Franciscan Centre on North 90th Street.
From 1981 to 1987, she was director of planning and pastoral councils for the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines. There, she implemented planning processes involving churches throughout the Diocese, including improving the structure and management of the Diocese.
In 1987, she and a group of people in Des Moines identified the need for safe, affordable housing for people with limited incomes. Anawim Housing was born. During her 22 years as executive director, the organization grew from the rehabilitation of a single duplex in 1988 to the development and management of some 221 units in 2010. When Bishop Richard E. Pates of the Diocese of Des Moines learned of her death, he wrote: "We are very much aware of Sister Stella's enormous contributions to her religious community, to the Diocese of Des Moines, to the religious women in this diocese and her indefatigable leadership and service to the poor through the housing projects of Anawim and most recently the housing initiative of Christ the King Parish."
Despite her busy ministry schedule with Anawim Housing, she also found time to serve on the Extended Leadership Team for the Sisters of Mercy Omaha Regional Community. She served from 1998 to 2008. She is remembered as a mission-focused and proactive leader who brought gifts of critical analysis and insight to the leadership team.
Over the years, Sister Stella received many honors, including: recognition in 1999 by the Des Moines Area Religious Council during its annual Interfaith Service Awards for her service to the community; an Excellence in Historic Preservation award presented by the City Council of Des Moines to her and the project team for renovating the Maine Apartment Building and Carriage House in Des Moines; and in 2004 recognition by the Iowa Region of the National Conference for Community and Justice for distinguished leadership in human relations and community service. When she decided to step down as executive director after 22 years, she took time to think about what her next ministry would be. It was at the same time the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community was looking for a person to lead its development area. She was the right person for this new ministry and was named to that new role in July.
She is preceded in death by parents Martin Weinfurtner and Jeanette Robinson Mount; adoptive parents Charles and Catherine G. Kean; siblings Eugene, George, Theresa, Martin and Ida; and nephew Chuck Casey. She is survived by siblings by Sharon Neill, Carol Neill Casey, Bob, Paul and Jeanette; and by her Sisters of Mercy family.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Holy Cross Church, 4803 William St. in Omaha with burial following in Resurrection Cemetery. The Diocese of Des Moines is having a prayer service for Sr. Stella Neill on Tuesday, Dec.14 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Ambrose Cathedral. The Bishop will be participating in this service. Memorial are suggested to Anawim Housing, 2024 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311, and to Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund, 7262 Mercy Road, Omaha, NE 68124
Sister Stella had an impact on so many communities and individuals.
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