Obituary: Kathleen McCann Neal

Kathleen McCann Neal, at 80

The beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and longtime resident of Capitol Hill, Kathleen McCann Neal – “Kathy” to so many – passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on February 16, 2024.

She was the loving wife of 54 years of the late General Richard I. “Butch” Neal, USMC.

She is survived by her three children, Andrew and his wife, Celene, of Portland, Oregon, and Andrew’s daughter Marina and sons Nathaniel and Aiden; her daughter Amy Neal Korzen and her husband, Jason, of Montclair, Virginia, and their daughters Kennedy, Tegan, and Holland; and her daughter Erin Neal Michelli and her husband, Joseph, of Virginia Beach, and their son Dominic and daughter Sophia. Mrs. Neal also is survived by her brother, William McCann of South Boston, sister Rita McCann White of Hingham, and 19 loving nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Neal was born on June 20, 1943, in Boston. The daughter of the late William and Anna McCann, she was raised in South Boston with her 10 siblings. Upon graduating from St. Augustine High School in 1961, she continued her education at the Catherine Labouré School of Nursing in Boston. Following graduation from nursing school in 1965, Mrs. Neal worked briefly at Boston City Hospital and then volunteered as a nurse for a year in the Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico, providing healthcare and treatment to the local people. For years after, she shared stories of her adventures riding donkeys through the mountains and doing everything from delivering babies, to treating gunshot wounds, to pulling teeth.
Upon returning from serving in Mexico, Mrs. Neal was reunited with Butch, and they married in 1967.

Over the three decades of military family life, Kathy, Butch, and their three children moved frequently and set up homes in Charlestown, Quantico, New Orleans, Camp Lejeune, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.

Mrs. Neal was first and foremost a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who took great delight in the time spent with her family. She loved going to the beach, reading, golfing, spending time with her dear friends, the “YaYas,” and most of all, spoiling her grandkids.

She will be dearly missed. Nothing can take the place of her love, care, thoughtfulness, fun nature, and humor. As many who know her would agree, she was feisty, and had grace and a sharp wit tough enough to keep generals and other dignitaries in check. Mrs. Neal was recognized in 1989 with the esteemed Molly Pitcher Award for Service. In 1998, the Commandant of the Marine Corps recognized her with the Department of the Navy award for Distinguished Public Service and a medal from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Distinguished Service.

Out of respect for Mrs. Neal’s wishes, the family will schedule a burial service at Hull Village Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life event for Butch and Kathy later this year. If you would like to make a donation in Mrs. Neal’s honor, please consider giving to Susan G. Komen for the Cure to help win the fight against breast cancer, www.info-komen.org/goto/kneal.