Grace G. Neilon

Grace G. (McLellan) Neilon, 98, of Sutton Hill Nursing Facility in North Andover and formerly of Lawrence, went to be with the Lord after a short illness on April 10, 2019. 
 
The daughter of Samuel and Grace McLellan, Grace was predeceased by her husband, John A. Neilon; daughter-in-law, Pamela; and grandson, John A. Neilon, III.
 
Grace attended Lawrence area schools until she entered the workforce at a young age during the Great Depression to support her large and extended family. She then worked in the Lawrence mills packing ammunition in support of the war-effort, while her husband was fighting in the South Pacific theatre during WWII. Grace retired from Raytheon Systems after a twenty-three-year career.
 
A loving, caring and independent woman, Grace took great pride in instilling a strong work ethic in her children and grandchildren.  She was an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and loyal friend who gave her family so many wonderful memories of love and laughter. A long-time parishioner at St. Patrick's Parish in Lawrence, Grace loved to play bingo in her spare-time and root for her beloved Red Sox, Patriots, and other New England sports teams.  
 
Grace is survived by her son, John A. Neilon, Jr. of Lawrence; daughter, Carol A. Janco and her husband, Guido of Windham, NH; and seven grandchildren, including John Michael DiGaetano, and his wife Cathy, and Christopher DiGaetano all of Methuen, Scott and Kimberly DiGaetano of Bedford, NH, Sean and Catherine Neilon of Charlestown, Kathleen and Jon Ward of North Andover, Michael and Christine Neilon of Pennsylvania, Brendan and Tara Neilon of Lawrence.  She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren including, Erica Picardi, Kaleigh Ward, Connor, Casey, Riley, Fiona and Joseph Neilon; and several loving nieces and nephews. 

Our family would like to extend sincere gratitude and appreciation to sister-in-law, Terry McLellan and the staff at Sutton Hill Nursing facility.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Grace’s honor to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute Division of Development and the Jimmy Fund, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to her calling hours and service on Saturday, April 13, 2019 from 10:00-11:00 AM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street in Methuen.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM in the funeral home following the calling hours.