Obituaries

 

Maura Teresa MacNeill

Passed 06/06/2024

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Obituary For Maura Teresa MacNeill

Maura Teresa MacNeill died at home in Dartmouth, NS on Thursday, June 6, 2024 after a difficult illness.

Maura was born in Pictou, Nova Scotia on November 2, 1957 to the late Catherine (Kaye) and Orvis MacNeill. She is survived by her husband, Glenn Richard, and her stepsons, Neil (Siena) and Evan (Becca) and their children. She is also survived by her siblings Lee, Greg, Colin, Coleen, Lauranne, Elaine, Blaise, Michael, and Maryanne; by Glenn’s siblings, Beverly, Jane, Paul, Cindy, Lisa, and Bruce; and by numerous nieces and nephews to whom she was always a devoted ally. Her family and friends mourn the loss of her radiant light.

Maura had a gentle demeanour, a generous spirit, a strong will, and a steady moral compass. Authors, poets, and songwriters of all stripes were her saints, and she loved to amuse us by refashioning their words to suit every occasion. Her sharp wit and love of clever wordplay served her well in the advertising industry where she excelled. Based in Toronto for many years, she conceptualized and wrote some of the most memorable television campaigns of the ‘90s.

In 2003, Maura returned to Nova Scotia, made a cosy home on the Dartmouth shore, and revelled in all the charms the region had to offer. There, she met and married Glenn, with whom she shared a deep love of the ocean and its coastal byways and boggy trails.

Maura will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved her. Special mention goes to her lifelong friend, Francine (Poirier) Topple. Condolences and memories can be shared at www.donaldkwalker.ca. In lieu of flowers, donations in Maura’s name may be made to the North Grove, Dartmouth (www.thenorthgrove.ca), the ALS society, or a charity of your choice.

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Condolences

  • 07/10/2024

    Marta Cutler

    I had the great honor of working with Maura in advertising. Although it's been many years since then, I have such indelible memories of her as a gifted writer whom I admired, looked up to and wanted to emulate; as a sharp wit who made everyone laugh; and as an intelligent, warm human being who had extraordinary integrity. In short, she was an incredible role model not just for me, but also for many, many others. Marta

  • 07/03/2024

    Andrew Bradley

    I am a little late in hearing about the passing of Maura. I was lucky enough to enter the industry of advertising in the late 90s at an agency she was working for. I was a summer intern and Maura became one of my mentors (and heroes). I will always remember her gentle spirit, passion for great writing, and her kind heart. My condolences to her family and close friends who have lost her much too soon. - Andrew Bradley, Toronto

  • 06/16/2024

    Peggy Flynn

    Sending love and peace to Glenn and family. Such an enormous, incomprehensible loss. Know that all the Flynns are sending love.

  • 06/12/2024

    William Lower

    My sincerest condolences to Glenn and all the MacNeill family. Maura was an incredibly bright and beautiful soul with a delightfully quirky sense of humour. And she never stopped being inquisitive. I doubt the people whose lives she touched will ever forget her. I know she will be with me until I cease to be. Love to you all.

  • 06/12/2024

    Steve Blair

    I had the privilege of being Maura's creative partner from the mid to late 90s. She was more than a great colleague, she became a great friend. Maura had a quiet yet deliberate style that was all her own. Her aesthetic taste was subtle and refined. This served her well as an advertising writer working on big brands—her words delivered added finesse. In particular, she had a remarkable lightness of touch, not only evident in her work but also in her relationships with people. She was a delight to be around. And many a time her wonderfully off-beat humour had me in stitches. For all her lightness of touch, Maura made a very deep impression on me. So much so that even after so long a time I can evoke her voice and her face as clearly as if she was standing right in front of me. I thought the world of her and still do. Steve Blair.

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