Amy Elizabeth "Neil" Uplinger

On January 17th, 2026, Amy Elizabeth (Neil) Uplinger went to be with her lord and savior. Amy passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her husband and children after battling breast cancer for many years. She never let this disease define her, or her spirit, and lived each day with as much joy as she could. She is preceded by her mother and father, Robert and Jean Neil, Grandparents Ruth and Frederick Fox, along with several close friends and family who are waiting to welcome her. She leaves behind her husband Steve Uplinger, of 39 years, and her lights of this world, children Jenni (Ben) and Clay. Along with sisters Ruth (Mike) Stover, Cathie Neil, Aunt/Uncle James and Carol Fox, special cousins Sarah (Patrick) Cox, Philip (Sarah) Fox, and many other beloved family members. A woman of deeply rooted faith, she attended church regularly her entire life, listening and following the lord wherever she went. Her love for Christ transcended into everything she did, through her love, joy, and positivity to others, touching so many lives.

Amy was a lifelong member of the Windsor Community. She graduated from Windsor High School in 1980, where she continued on to attend college at SUNY Oswego, obtaining a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Ceramics in 1984, where a mural of hers still sits on Tyler Hall. Following graduation, she moved to Cape Cod, MA to pursue art curation. She returned to Windsor, working at the local Colony Inn owned by her father, Robert Neil. Before sending her graduate school application, life had different plans and drew her to Stephen. They were married August 29, 1987. Their first business endeavor was opening Flintlock Liquors in downtown Windsor, which became a staple to the community in the early 1990s. The rest of Amys endeavors changed over the years, working in the family printing business, Midstate Litho, filling in as a local substitute, but most importantly she became a stay at home mom for both her children. She prided herself in being able to be home to raise, and cherish this time with her kids and husband. She returned to work in 2007 as a paraprofessional, where she aided several school districts such as Windsor, Broome Tioga Boces, Chenango Forks, and Bainbridge. She touched the lives of many students with disabilities, big or small, and gained the friendship and respect of many coworkers.

Coinciding with her work as a paraprofessional, Amy was an avid member of the Windsor Athletics Swim program, where she ran the Colorado Timing Systems since 2004, and continued until 2025. Amy traveled far, to always attend her Daughter Jenni's swim meets in college, being her number one fan, a support system like no other to the Cazenovia College Swim Team, and only missed two swim meets during the entirety of her daughter's competition.

Amy also created her own soap and hat business, Meadowfields Naturals and Pink Ribbon Knits, striving to create natural, holistic, and memorable products. She was a weekly member of the Windsor Farmers Market in summers, and attended many craft fairs in the Broome County Area. Amy expressed how she felt through color, art, writing, drawings, gardening, knitting, and her creativity shined in every piece. She was a member of the Windsor Garden Group for many years, but moved on working for Hawkins Exotic Lilies in recent summers, where we now have multiple gardens full at our mountain home.

Amy was a free spirit, a strong, courageous, beautiful woman who deserved the world. Her faith in God was unprecedented, and was truly a missionary for his word here on earth. She was a friend to everyone she met, and created so many loving relationships, spanning from New York to Colorado, Costa Rica, Ecuador to England, she made an imprint on many. She will be dearly missed for the rest of our lives, and we plan to do everything in her honor. Per Amy's wishes, she asked that people do not wear black to her services, as she thought black was a mundane color, and that when people leave this earth, their lives should be celebrated, and celebrated through color and love. We also ask due to a family sensitivity, please avoid any perfumes, colognes or scented body products for the services.

Services will be held at Lighthouse Community Church, Windsor on Sat. Jan. 31, 2026 at 1 p.m. The family will receive friends at Lighthouse Community Church On Sat. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to services. A Celebration of life will follow at United Methodist Church dining hall, also in Windsor.

There will be a live stream link available on Lighthouse Community Church Facebook Page as of 11am Saturday the 31st of January. Flowers can be ordered through Country Marketplace Floral in Kirkwood, NY. We love you Momma U!

Online condolences may be made at: www.omaddenfh.com. Arrangements by the Osterhoudt-Madden Funeral Home 69-71 Maple Street Harpursville. A MADDEN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME.