Sylvia Benevidias McNeill

Sylvia Benevidias McNeill, age 89, of Gulfport, passed away on Monday, August 26, 2024, at the home of her son, William, in Newaygo, MI. 

Mrs. McNeill is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Howard F. McNeill, Sr; her parents, Woodrow J. Benevidias and Genevieve Walker Benevidias; and a son-in-law, Ronald Davis.

She is survived by her 5 children, Howard F. McNeill, Jr (Diana), Margaret Harvey, Kathryn Davis, John Q. McNeill (Heather), and William W. McNeill, II (Michelle); 10 grandchildren, Genevieve M. Borendame (Jimmy), Stephanie A. McNeill, Stephen L. Harvey, II, Joshua C. McNeill, William A. Sexton, Kyle I. Davis, Marina Schmidt (Mark), Korahlyn Duffy, Allison H. McNeill, and Haley M. Thomas; 8 great-grandchildren, Lynden Borendame, Rocco Borendame, Ava Sexton, Sylvia Sexton, Elliot Davis, Mary, Caroline, and Caleb; cousin/beloved friend, Beth Davis, and friend/prayer partner, Kathy Nievas.

Mrs. McNeill was a 1953 graduate of Gulfport High School and later earned a nursing degree from Perkinston Junior College. She was employed as an LPN at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport and later retired as a nurse and office manager for Dr. George W. Vickery. She was a faithful member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church where she was a member of the Altar Society and she was a member of the St. James Catholic Church Choir and the Gulfport 4-H Club. 

She enjoyed painting and ceramics and she loved cooking for her family and friends. Mrs. McNeill made the best cakes and pies for the birthdays of her children, grandchildren, and friends. 

On September 25, 1952, our mother married Howard – the love of her life! Today, they are reunited on their 72nd wedding anniversary.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or the Altar Society c/o St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am, Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Gulfport. Visitation will be from 10 – 11 am in the church. A private interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.