Sandra True Shaffer McNeil
Sandra True Shaffer McNeil, 77, of Greenfield, passed on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at Riverside Hospital in Columbus.
She was born on Oct. 11, 1937, in Greenfield, the daughter of Wendell and Jesslyn (Hammond) Shaffer.
After graduation from Edward Lee McClain in Greenfield, she married Lowell H. McNeil and relocated to Columbus, where they started a family of five children before moving back to Greenfield in 1965.
In 1973, Sandra joined the Home Building and Loan Company where she served the financial needs of many people in the Greenfield community, until her retirement in 2012. She also served many years as a member of the State Savings and Loan Associations Board.
In 1973, she also began her service as a board member of the Greenfield Area Medical Center and was instrumental in keeping the hospital open. After its affiliation with Adena Regional Medical Center, she became a member of the Adena Foundation Board.
Sandra was a founding member of the Greenfield Foundation, serving in the positions of treasurer and secretary for over 10 years and was the longtime treasurer of the Greenfield Historical Society. Because of her work and vision, the Smith Tannery and the Old Stone Schoolhouse, now the Konneker Education Museum, were saved and stand today for future generations.
The 2001 restoration of the Greenfield City Building was enhanced by the donation of the new tower clock, given by Sandra and family in memory and honor of her parents.
As a member of the First Presbyterian Church, she held the positions of trustee, deacon and choir director. Many Easter and Christmas programs were given under her skillful and talented direction. She also did many jobs that had no official titles, but needed to be done.
In 2009 Sandra was inducted into the Highland County Women’s Hall of Fame. Her family and friends attended the ceremony to honor her and all she had done for this section of Highland County. She was also inducted into the Edward Lee McClain Hall of Fame in 2014.
Highland County became aware of events in Greenfield with the article Sandra contributed to the magazine “Happenings in the Hills.” She was a member and officer of Y-Gradale Sorority, Greenfield Mothers’ Club and Coterie. All of these organizations helped raise money for Greenfield children and special projects.
When Greenfield adopted a Bosnian refuge family, Sandra coordinated the fundraising and was instrumental in helping this family obtain housing, a job and needed medical care. Today this family is doing well in the Dayton area.
She was an avid supporter of the Little League program and joined with the Rotary in restoration of the Ralph Phillips Armory Center, by helping in the Windows Replacement Project.
In 1956, a colleague taught Sandra to knit and she never stopped. It was the beginning of her second career, as a teacher. She passed on the basics of knitting but also the love of this highly creative art. An adult education class in night school at McClain High School was the beginning of a 27-year career as teacher and knitting mentor. Tuesday Night Knitters continued to meet after the end of the classes with new people joining in. She loved it when a new convert took up the craft. To help foster that love, she was also the artistic director for the annual Y.O. Knitting Camp, an intense weeklong study in knitting. Tuesday Night Knitters last met on the Tuesday prior to Sandra’s passing.
Sandra’s love for the people is reflected in the buildings and programs in existence today that she, with her spirit and joy, contributed to this community.
She is preceded in death by her parents Wendell and Jesslyn Shaffer.
She is survived by her husband Lowell H. McNeil; five children, including Jennifer (Buddy) Kennedy, Stuart (Kelley) McNeil of Greenfield, Kevin (Susan) McNeil of Westerville, Tom McNeil of Portage, Ind. and Anna (Tom) Rinehart of Worthington; nine grandchildren, including Emily (Shawn) Hickock, Tara Kennedy, Chelsie Kennedy, Alison (JD) Lyle, Brian McNeil, Spencer McNeil, Grace McNeil, Logan Rinehart and Jacob Rinehart; and four great-grandchildren, Zaine Hickok, Baylee Hickock, Henry Hickok and Sadie Kennedy.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenfield, 457 Jefferson Street, Greenfield 45123. Burial will follow in Greenfield Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Adena Greenfield Medical Center, in memory of Sandra T. McNeil, c/o Kathy Dye, 550 Mirabeau Street, Greenfield, 45123 or Greenfield Historical Society, 103 South McArthur Way, Greenfield 45123.
The Murray-Fettro Funeral Home of Greenfield is serving the family.
Condolences may be sent to www.murrayfettro.com