Dolores (Cocciolone) McNeil

   Today we make the bittersweet announcement that Dolores McNeil passed away on October 5, 2021 while surrounded by love and care.  She was 85 years of age.

   As we say good-bye to Dolores who took on many roles - daughter, sister, wife, mother and “Nan” to many, we want to acknowledge that her legacy will continue to live on each of us.  Nan was a true “Gatherer”.  For as long as we can remember, Nan would gather together friends and family and those who needed a place to belong.  Even in Nan’s last days she was making sure that those around her in the Crowsnest Pass Continuing Care Centre were looked after, and that they all had their meals and were being helped.  Nan was well-known for the many gatherings she hosted and how the Moose Hall in Hillcrest, AB would often be the location because the guest list grew so long that the family kitchen and home became too small.  It didn’t matter where Nan was, she gathered people and nourished not only their bodies with her cooking and cookies, but their hearts and souls as well!  It didn’t matter if she knew you for decades or days, she took you in and made you feel seen and valued.  That’s her true legacy.  In her later years, Nan fed and nourished the people who gathered at the soup kitchen in Lake Country where she married and lived with her second husband, Phil McNeil, his adult children and extended family (whom she gladly treated as her own) until she returned home to the Crowsnest Pass, AB to live out her remaining time in the place she called “home”.

   Dolores passed away in the place where she was born and where spent most of her life.  She was very active in the community. She was involved with the Christian church, spent many years on town council, was the community pool manager, as well as serving hospitably with the ladies at the community hall.  Dolores loved people and wanted to make her community a better place for everyone in it.  In her free time, she enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, and going thrift store shopping.  She also loved to laugh and, above all else, she loved her family.              

   Nan will be missed by many and remembered by all.  We want to give a special thank you to Margie who loved Nan and helped our family immensely in Nan’s last days; you truly are a gem.  We also want to thank the front-line workers for their dedication to their work and their care for Mum, and to the staff at the York Creek Lodge who went above and beyond to care for and watch out for Mum.

   Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life is her husband, Phil McNeil of Oyanna, BC; her son, Robert (Sara Schob) Kautz; her daughters, Kim (Murray) Auld and Susan (Andrew Stirling) Pollock; her grandchildren, Aaron, Erik (Nicole), Michael (Stacey), Jenna (Carmen), Benjamin (Mariah) and Abigail (Landon); her greatgrandchildren, Cailley, Hunter, Rylee, Audrina, Carolina and Charlotte; her sisters, Carolee (Ken) Elliott and Denise (Rob) Coccioloni-Amatto; as well as many long-time friends and adopted family to carry her legacy forward.

  She was predeceased by her first husband, Ivan Kautz; her parents, Frank and Helen Cocciolone; her son-in-law, Dale Strandquist; and her great-grandson, Krue Ryder.

   Service details will be announced in the Spring of 2022.  Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.

Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements. (403) 562-8555

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