Helen Nielsen McNeil

Helen Nielsen McNeil passed on September 14, 2026. Born in Washington, DC on April 3, 1938, Helen’s family lived in Bethesda, MD; Edina, MN; and Palo Alto, CA. She graduated from the University of Redlands where she met Alan McNeil on her first day on campus. They were married in 1960. They lived in San Diego, CA; Charleston, WV; Grand Blanc, MI; and Indianapolis, IN until Alan’s death in 1974. Helen was married to Richard Feldman from 1980 – 1987.

Helen supported Alan’s work with Goodwill Industries by actively participating in Goodwill’s volunteer Women’s Guild. One of her favorite activities was helping organize the Guild’s annual Fashion Show.

Helen loved her career as a teacher. She taught briefly in California and Michigan. After a friend convinced her to be a substitute teacher at Mary Castle Elementary in Lawrence Township, IN to cover another teacher’s honeymoon, she became a frequently requested sub the rest of the school year and was offered a full-time teaching position at Mary Castle for the 1973-1974 school year. She enjoyed teaching sixth grade and then fifth until her retirement in 2005, sponsored the journalism club which included publishing the yearbook, and mentored several student teachers . After time in Helen’s classroom, many students remained in contact throughout life. Although never publicly admitted, her two favorite students were her grandsons, Zachary and Silas Coghill.

Helen was a member of Northminster Presbyterian church where she briefly sang in the choir; after retirement she joined a weekly Bible study group. Thursday mornings found Helen at “breakfast club” with her fellow Mary Castle teachers. She was a member of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an organization for women educators impacting education worldwide, and served one term as chapter President.

Helen enjoyed her flower garden, which regularly featured roses, irises, and lilies. Helen liked staying active, often playing tennis, golf, and talking walks. She was an avid reader and active cribbage player, including easily winning against her son. She maintained her long-distance relationships by regularly sending cards and letters to her cherished friends and family.

When asked her age, Helen’s patent response was “I’m 33.” When challenged with facts that her adult children were older than 33, she replied, “you can be whatever age you feel.”

Helen loved doing things with and for her family. Through helping with homework, planning “mystery trips,” ensuring her children and grandchildren were able to participate in their activities, and coordinating care for her mother, her love of her family was constantly on display.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Oswald and Irene Nielsen, and husband, Alan McNeil. She is survived by her brother John Nielsen (Jennie Stone), son Steven McNeil, daughters Mary Charlotte Coghill and Ellen Elmore (Doug), step-daughter Marcy Thompson (Frank), step-son Mike Feldman (Amy), and grandsons Zachary Coghill, Silas Coghill, and Steven Elmore.

In lieu of flowers and in the spirit of Helen’s passion for staying connected with the special people in her life, please take a moment and write a letter to someone special in your life.