Marguerite C. Neely

Marguerite C. Neely, 98, of Hamilton, went home to be with her Savior on Monday, December 9, 2019 at Discovery Care Center. She was born October 23, 1921 in Vel-Meer, Belgium, the daughter of Willem and Hubertina (Tappets) Hardy.

She met the love of her life, Ivan Neely, while he was stationed in Belgium near the end of WWII. Somehow, they caught each other's eye even though he couldn’t speak Flemish and she couldn't speak English. They were accompanied by an interpreter when they dated. After a short engagement period, they were married on May 5, 1945.  Ivan was soon sent state-side and Marguerite followed him months later on a boat along with nearly 500 other French and Belgian wives and children who were the dependents of U.S. soldier’s. They were married 62 years until the passing of her beloved Ivan in 2008.

There were two relationships that were paramount with Marguerite: her marriage to Ivan and her relationship with her Savior, Jesus Christ. Until her passing, Marguerite was the matriarch of the Bitterroot Valley Church of the Nazarene in Victor, having been the church's longest­ serving member. In fact, the church's community facility, the Neely Center, is named in honor of Marguerite and Ivan.

She will be remembered and missed by her family and many friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, December 13, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Bitterroot Valley Church of the Nazarene, 803 Fifth Avenue in Victor.  Rev. John Capen will be officiating. Viewing will be prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 at the church.  Internment will take place at Victor Cemetery. A reception will follow the interment at Neely Center, 150 South A Street in Victor.  Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.

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