Rhonda Marie McNeely

On Wednesday, December 17th, after a short battle with lung cancer, the world became quieter and heaven became brighter. Rhonda Marie McNeely, our sweet, loving, giving, and fiercely faithful wife, mother, and grandma, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus. She left this earth the same way she lived every day of her life, with grace, kindness, ease, and an unshakable faith that carried her until the very end.

If you knew her, you knew warmth. You knew gentleness. You knew the woman who would show up for anyone, at any time, without hesitation. Her love language was acts of service, and she lived it fully… cooking, caring, listening, planning, giving, and making life softer for everyone she loved. She believed deeply in God, her family, and in the power of giving back. She was the kind of woman who restored your faith in goodness just by being herself.

She was sweet and nurturing, but also a firecracker in the best way. She could laugh until she cried, the kind of laugh that made the whole room join in and she had a signature whistle she carried everywhere, often repeating the same tune without even noticing. It became a soundtrack to our lives. Her joy was contagious, simple, pure, and unfiltered.

Born in Watertown, NY, on June 10, 1963, she grew up rooted in simple yet resilient values and spent six decades in Jefferson County before moving to Tampa, FL. Rhonda and Calvin loved spending summers on Wellesley Island and time on the St. Lawrence River.

Some of her happiest childhood memories were summers at Ray’s Bay with her Grandma and Grandpa Thomas. In high school, she proudly served as both a drum major and a cheerleader, lighting up every field and parade with her energy and spirit.  

At 16, she met the love of her life, Calvin, at a Halloween party, the beginning of their lifelong marriage and many evolutions together. She began her professional life as a nurse straight out of high school, caring for others with the same gentleness she offered her family. Later, she and Calvin built a business together, Hi-Lite Airfield Services, pouring their work ethic, heart, and family spirit into it for 27 years alongside Dick and Linda, John, Howie, and Bub McNeely and so many others.

During those years, she played a significant role in the company’s regional growth, serving proudly as the Regional Director for AGC and helping develop the Florida market. Her leadership was widely respected.

After moving to Tampa in 2022, she and Calvin began a new chapter as franchise brokers, using their experience to help others step into entrepreneurship.

Faith was not just a part of her life; it was the foundation. She served as the President of the Densmore Church on Wellesley Island, helping reopen and revive services in the historic little church from 2017 until COVID. She was also active in New Life Christian Church in Watertown, where she served as an Elder and poured into countless lives. After moving to Tampa, she became part of Radiant Church in Brandon, FL, where her heart to serve and support marriages continued to touch so many couples.

She was an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, the steady heartbeat of the people who loved her.

Her heart lives on with:

 • Her devoted husband of 44 years, Richard “Calvin” McNeely III

 • Her children:

 – Richard C. “Bub” McNeely IV, his wife Jade, and their four children, Kerrigan, Wren, Richard V, and Titan of Sandy Creek, NY

 – Jessica Page and her two boys, Zachary and Tyler of Tampa, FL

 – AnnMarie Pearson, her husband Kurt, and their children, Kameron, Mariyah, and Sophia of Wellesley Island, NY

She was predeceased by her dad and mom, Dick and Judy Thomas and her father-n-law Dick “Boots” McNeely

Her light continues through her siblings: Wanda (Bill) Reardon, Bernard (Penny) Thomas, Beverly Aubin (Edward Dawley), and Brian (Tammy) Thomas, all in Upstate New York… each of whom she loved deeply.

Calvin's mom, Linda McNeely, and his siblings John (Rob Woodside) McNeely, Jacqueline Donnelly, and Howie (Gina) McNeely were also a huge part of her life.

Her passions were simple and heartfelt: planning family get-togethers, spending time with her grandkids, whistling around the house, laughing until her cheeks hurt, watching America’s Got Talent as a full-family event, and snuggling her beloved bulldog, Nala, who never ran out of treats or squeaky toys.

Her strength and compassion were unmatched. She carried so much grace, patience, faith, and calm… effortlessly. She loved fiercely and without condition. She forgave easily and believed the best of people, always.

She leaves us with full hearts, a thousand memories, and a legacy of love we will carry for the rest of our lives.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, December 30th at Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Watertown, NY, from 11 am-2 pm and 4 pm-7 pm.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11am on Saturday, January 10th at New Life Christian Church, Watertown, NY.  Services to be held at the Radiant Church in Brandon, FL have been postponed to a later date and time to be announced.

Burial will be in the spring at Union Cemetery, Adams Center, NY at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Densmore Church. Please include “Rhonda McNeely” in the note or memo. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 571, Wellesley Island, NY 13640, or sent via Venmo to @DensmoreChurch.

Online condolences may be made at www.reedbenoit.com.