Obituary of Gwendolyn Yvonne Neal

Gwendolyn Y. "Vicki" Neal, age 76, of Sterling, VA, formerly of Staten Island, NY died on January 27, 2010 at Fairfax Nursing Center. She was born on September 16, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Herbert and Vivian Ross Harris. As a youngster, she was a member of the Police Athletic League, the Brownies and Girl Scouts. She was taught the piano by her mother at an early age. She played piano for the Junior Choir at the Bibleway Temple in Brooklyn, NY. She became Mrs. Neal in 1951 and raised two children James and Joan and helped care for and raise nine others. After receiving her nursing degree from the Lincoln School of Practical Nursing and the American Red Cross, she went on to become a vital part of a private practice for Dr. Aubrey L. Griffith, MD. She was also a member of many social clubs. The ebonnaire Amateur Radio Society, as Secretary, Editor and Registered Instructor and helped many to obtain their licenses. She was a member of the Metroplex Amateur Radio Club # 996, Assistant Tech Coordinator of A.R.R.L., The Kings County Radio Club, Kings County Repeater Association, W5YI #8373, DeVRY VEC, and many other affiliated clubs. She was a long time member of the Star of Bethlehem Grand Chapter O.E.S. Rising through the various offices, she became Worthy Matron of Rasmus, Chapter #43 O.E.S. and later becoming a member of Hagar Court #1, A.A.O.D.O.S. After moving from New York to Virginia, she did not slow down and began volunteer work at Loudoun Hospital. Her love of music led her to making tapes and sharing the enjoyment with others. She initiated activities with tenants at her residence, The William Watters House. She started by organizing tenant meetings and activities for the building with the support of many. She voluntarily retired after 3 years. She shared her interest in photography and computers. Vicki was the beloved wife of the late James A. Neal, Sr., loving and devoted mother of James A. Neal, Jr. of Jersey City, NJ and Joan Wheeler Showell of Staten Island, NY, proud grandmother of Vicki, Corey, Yvonne, Criis, Charles and Jason.