Yvonne Grigis McNiel

Yvonne Grigis McNiel, 94 years old, passed away at her cottage in Boerne, Texas on September 11, 2025. Her daughter Danielle was at her side, holding her hand, as she bravely and peacefully stepped toward that place just beyond our sight, now eternally whole and happy with all those she loved so much. Born on September 1, 1931, Yvonne Grigis was born and raised in Bienne, Switzerland to Roland and Berthe Grigis, the second of five children. Though she would tell us about the curfews and blackout drapes required as planes flew over neutral Switzerland during WW2, most memories were of a happy childhood shared with her beloved sisters Odette and Jacqueline, and her other siblings, spending many hours playing, talking and dreaming in the village square. By the time each Grigis daughter reached 18, all had completed their own trousseau, including beautiful and carefully initialed tablecloths, napkins, and doilies-the basic dowry a good wife should have before marrying. Mom was very intelligent, curious, and spirited. Her dreams and ideas were too big to fit in a chest at the foot of her bed. Yvonne's mother was Swiss/German, and her father was Swiss/Italian. She and her siblings attended the French speaking schools in Bienne and so, like most other Swiss children, she was perfectly fluent in three languages, and she was taught the English language at school. She graduated with the US equivalent of a high school diploma and continued with an upper-level education, roughly equivalent to an Associates Degree. Yvonne then spent a year in England living in a tiny room in the home of a good doctor and his wife as the au pair to their two little boys. Here she perfected her English and solidified the importance of a cup of tea and something sweet to break the day: 4:00 afternoon teatime. She then joined her sister Odette in Zurich, Switzerland, each working in a secretarial capacity in the watch-making industry. It was there that her life changed just as she may have dreamed. One fine day, Army Private (and Texan) Billy Gene McNiel was enjoying a short leave of duty when he met Yvonne Grigis as she and her sister made their way to see a Disney movie at a nearby theatre. After a courtship of about three months, they married as quickly as the Army paperwork could be completed and began a life together that lasted over 60 years and produced three children. They lived in four different countries, four US states, and four Texas cities. Because of Yvonne's natural determination and efficiency, the many Army moves were efficient and seamless. In 1992, Billy finally retired and together they built their own home in Boerne, Texas. They were so happy to be in Pleasant Valley, enjoyed retirement immensely, quickly surrounded themselves with new lifelong friends and enjoyed many visits from their children and grandchildren. In 2015, Yvonne and Billy moved one last time to a beautiful cottage in Menger Springs, a good place in which to finish their lives. Yvonne was the engine that moved the family forward. She was intelligent and would and could engage in many spirited conversations about worldwide current events. We grew up with National Geographic, 60 Minutes, and books of every genre. Thank you for that, mom. By the way, she loved Carol Burnett too. Besides fulfilling her domestic duties, with attention to every detail, she was involved in every community in which she lived. Her Catholic faith was of utmost importance throughout her life. Yvonne and Bill were faithful and regular members of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Boerne. Ten years ago, Yvonne was preceded in death by the love of her life, Billy Gene McNiel. She missed dad every day. She will be likewise missed by her son and two daughters: Gregory Bill McNiel of San Antonio, Texas; Francine Yvonne O'Brien and Timothy William John O'Brien of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Danielle Odette Howard of San Marcos, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Ashley and Michael McBride; Katherine and Taylor Barton, Maura and Mark Whelan, and Claire O'Brien; Whitman and Samantha Howard, Henry and Rachel Howard, and Samuel and Gigi Howard. She leaves behind many grandchildren and great grandchildren, all loved so very much. Yvonne is also survived by her youngest sister, Jeannette Monotti-Grigis and Pierre Antonio Menotti-Grigis of Verscio, Switzerland as well as several nephews and other family abroad. Mom and her children thank and recognize the two caregivers who were always with her in her final years: Natasha Nesbit and Kellie Garza. They are the best. Mom loved them and they returned that love. The service celebrating Yvonne McNiel's life will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025, at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church 202 West Kronkosky St. Boerne, Texas 78006 10:00 am Visitation, followed by a Mass at 10:30 am, with Reception following.