Frances "Fran" Mary MacNeill
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Fran's obituary
The world feels lesser without Frances Mary MacNeill in it.
Fran, 78, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 16, 2026, surrounded by her husband and children as she would have wanted it. She grew up in Woodbury, NJ and Atlantic City, NJ and made a life with her family in Morris County, NJ.
She is survived by the love of her life, her husband of 51 years, Garry H. MacNeill - her “babe” - and their six children: Scott MacNeill and his wife Jessica, Anne MacNeill Rocha and Rafael Rocha, Mary Hillegass and her husband Keith, Tina Waldron and her husband Tom, Beth Hartford and her husband Brad, and Margie Fillinger and her husband Mike. She leaves behind twelve grandchildren - Kyle, Elizabeth, Devin, Emily, Isabella, Tommy, Unity, Mary, Madeleine, Camille, Michael, and Charlie-and Fran’s sister Rosemarie Antonelli and her husband Nick Antonelli.
Fran loved deeply, steadily, and unwaveringly. She raised six children with strength, relying on her faith in God to carry her through the hardships. Her favorite verse was Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous and truthful right hand.” She lived this promise daily with grace, resilience, and trust and taught all of her children how to navigate life with kindness, love, and compassion for others.
Garry was the love of her life. They fell in love and married on November 9, 1974. Their love deepened over time as they did life together; raising 6 kids, suffering pain, and growing old together. They cared for one another in the smallest, most constant ways. Their names for each other changed over the years from “hun” to "sweetheart" to “babe” in the end. Together, they taught their children how to love, respect, forgive, and to persevere.
The world is less without her, but her legacy remains in the lives she shaped and the love she gave.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 16, at Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church 113 S. Hillside Ave Succasunna, NJ. An open time of visitation will be from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with prayer and remembrances starting at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Market Street Mission in her honor.
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