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Andrea Neill Obituary
It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Andrea June Neill on January 6, 2023 at The Ottawa Hospital (Civic Campus). Daughter of the late Robert and June (nee Martin) Neill of Sherbrooke, QC.
She leaves in mourning her husband Stephen Barry, her three brothers Robert Neill (Lynne Julien), Peter Neill (Darlene) and Stuart Neill (Caroline); six nieces and nephews Brian Neill (Rachel), Erin Stewart (Ron), John Neill, Nicole Playford (Christian), Shaun Neill (Katrina) and Drinda Neill (Jaryd Nordstrom); nine grand-nieces and nephews Mackenzie Neill, Cameron Neill, Abigail Neill, Nathaniel Stewart, Nicholas Stewart, Sepreina Playford, Rowen Playford, Emery Playford and Jackson Neill, a number of close cousins and their families; Artem Barry (Maija) and their son Karl (who has lost his precious AJ) and Suren Barry; predeceased by her sister-in-law Anna Mary Neill (Robert). Andrea loved and took pride in them all. She will also be dearly missed by her close friend Chris Mooney.
Andrea grew up in Lennoxville, Quebec, and received an education in French throughout her elementary and high school years. She earned a BA at Bishop's University and went on to graduate with a degree in law from McGill University. Andrea enjoyed a distinguished career with the Federal Government of Canada, holding numerous senior positions with the Department of Justice. She retired from public service as Assistant Information Commissioner for Canada, earning praise as an ardent defender of requesters' rights under federal information legislation.
Andrea's gentle and capable demeanour, concern for others and unstinting willingness to pitch in was rewarded with the strong admiration of family, friends and colleagues throughout her life. In retirement she enjoyed travel and wintering in Mexico where she would co-ordinate annual family gatherings with her brothers, their families and friends.
A celebration of life will take place in late April 2023.
We wish to thank the ICU and neurosurgery team at the Ottawa Hospital for the professionalism and compassion they showed to Andrea and her kin, and to the Trillium Gift of Life Network for their compassion and sensitivity in giving effect to Andrea's wishes.
For those wishing to commemorate, please consider a donation to the Ottawa Hospital.
Condolences / Tributes: Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, www.beechwoodottawa.ca
Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services
280 Beechwood Ave., Ottawa
613-741-9530
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Memories and Condolences
for Andrea Neill
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3 Entries
Peter Sylvester
January 18, 2023
I was deeply saddened by the news of Andrea´s passing. I knew her as a wonderful and friendly colleague at the Department of Justice. Over the course of her career, she became a pre-eminent authority on Access to Information and Privacy law, and she was always so generous in sharing her vast knowledge and wise counsel whenever I reached out to her, no matter how thorny the issue. I expect that there are hundreds of Justice lawyers who regularly benefited just as I did from her efficient and comprehensive legal analysis. She was humble and unpretentious, and she excelled at patiently explaining the finer points of complex legal questions.
Her professional contribution was remarkable, but the memories of Andrea I will treasure most are of our time together in the impromptu Department of Justice Holiday Choir in the early 1990s. During our lunch-hour rehearsals, away from the pressures of deadlines and deliverables, I got the chance to know Andrea as the lovely and warm-hearted person she was. I got a glimpse of the many qualities that no doubt made her such a special and endearing presence in the lives of her family and friends.
My sincere condolences.
Peter Sylvester
Peter Langford
January 14, 2023
To Bobby, Peter, and Stuey, so sorry to hear of your loss.
Your neighbor from across the street corner (Clough and High), a long time ago.
Grace & Jeff
January 14, 2023
We had the pleasure of Andrea as part of our family for 45 years as:
Wife(to Chris)
Sister in Law (Grace&Jeff)
Godmother (Ryan)
Auntie (Ryan& Laura
Andrea will be dearly missed by all the Mooney Family Always
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Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services280 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa, ON K1M 8E2