Obituary of Faith L Neail

Faith LaRaye (Wengenroth) Neail was called home to be with her Lord on Good Friday, April 7, 2023. She was 81. Her life is celebrated by her seven surviving children and their spouses: April Neail, Mark Neail, Robbin Durow (Randall), Heidi Southwick (Curtis), John Neail (Janice), Charity Neail (Joy) and Glory Bautista (Joe). Faith’s eldest daughter, Hope Neail, preceded her in death in 2017. She had many beloved grandchildren: Bethany and Brendan Durow; Lucie, Jaynie, Belle, Cora, Meg, Chapman, and Polly Neail; Jude Bautista and several others who called her “mom” and “grandma” too. Born on July 5, 1941 in Madelia, Minnesota to Ethel Phoebe (Shull) and August Wengenroth, Faith was their eighth and youngest child. Faith married Joseph Henderson Neail and subsequently moved to New York State, but for safety, chose to raise her children alone. The eldest children also took an active role in helping the family survive and stay together with additional help from strangers, friends, and church folk across New York State…and more than a few miracles along the way. As the matriarch, Faith wanted to instill in her children a measure of the Christian faith she held dear. Her children share stories of being in church for every available service, singing hymns, and listening to their mom’s prayers that became so long the food would turn cold and the youngest fall asleep. Others also witnessed the strength of her faith; members in every church she participated in could point to her devotion, spiritual persistence in the face of adversity, and trust in God’s providence. Her children embody the best of her: a willingness to work hard, commitment to service and generosity, an openness to laughter and play, and a desire to make a difference. Faith loved music and played the organ, piano, and accordion. She excelled at cooking and baking (sharing generously with others), loved decorating for each season, and even wrote poetry. She strived to honor God with her life. For those who wish to honor Faith, donations in her name can be made to the Jamestown YWCA. Her children invite you to reflect on the words of her favorite hymn “In the Garden” which points to the intimacy of her prayer life, and our certainty she is now walking and talking with God, experiencing a joy “none other has ever known”.