MADELINE EDITH NEILL

(née Lewis) (January 26, 1929 – November 1, 2025) A life well lived and shining star in whatever room she walked into. A mentor to so many. Madeline passed in her White Rock home of 46 years on November 1st, surrounded by family and faithful dog, Gus. A fiercely independent dynamo, at 96, she was in charge to the very end. Madeline was born in Brandon, Manitoba, the 5th child of Fred and Alice Lewis. She was predeceased by brother, Cliff; and sisters, Mildred, Helen, Kay, Mary; and former husband, Barry. Madeline grew up surrounded by a loving family and was guided in life by her strong and loving mother, Alice. Madeline met Barry Neill at a teen dance and their love burned bright for years. They had three children, Cathy, Vicky and Michael. In the early years, life at Brandon and Clear Lake was full of adventure with the siblings and their kids. Her business career started with taking over Black Bond Books, a fledgling bookstore in Brandon. Under her management, the bookshop grew to be a community hub, where she hosted famous authors, including Pierre Berton and Farley Mowat. Madeline became a force in the book world! In 1972, she moved to BC and opened her first BC store in White Rock. Her three children eventually became business partners, and Black Bond Books grew to 10 community bookstores. Madeline and family were well respected throughout the book business, and she will be remembered by many for her wit, humour and love. She retired in 1994 but never gave up the passion of watching her children and grandchildren thrive in the book business to this day. She was proud that all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have enjoyed loving and successful lives. Her love extended to nieces and nephews, their children, and many, many other people she loved to be with. Post retirement, her winter home was in Ixtapa, where true to character, she and sister, Kay, became lifelong friends with many. It was not long ago that she sadly had to close that door. Madeline's life stories could easily fill a book. We will miss her, but her light will always shine above those who were lucky enough to be part of her life.