Elizabeth Anne Neily, “Biz,” died peacefully at the Gregory Wing of St. Andrews Village on Jan. 6.
She was born in Portland on Aug. 29, 1920, the daughter of Spaulding Bisbee and Ethel May Hinds. Biz attended the Waynflete School, Bennett Junior College and Wheelock College. She spent many joyous years at Camp Wabanaki on Hancock Pond, absorbing Maine’s lake and mountain adventures, passing on her love of the outdoors to her children.
Family bonds were always predominant in Biz’s family. She had enormous respect for her father, Brig. Gen. Spaulding Bisbee, who commanded the 103rd Maine Regiment. When Elizabeth and her sister Eleanor married two brothers, they cemented an unusual closeness between the two families.
Biz and Rupe Neily were married in Nov. 1942, before he left for overseas duty as a naval officer. In 1946 they moved from Portland to East Boothbay. A family of five children soon became Biz’s full time occupation. In those pre-YMCA days on Lincoln St. Biz juggled children and a menagerie of leashless pet dogs, cats and Joe the goat with good humor and stamina.
Generosity and caring were not abstract to Biz Neily; she lived them daily. She always had time to bring home baked treats to cheer her friends and members of her Christian Science church community. Always quick to understand a neighbor’s distress or need, Biz was the quintessential neighbor who could be counted on in fair or foul weather. She graciously welcomed all her children’s boyfriends, girlfriends, roommates and acquaintances with warmth, understanding and infinite patience. Each visitor felt adopted by her kindness and charmed by her deep infectious laugh. Her circle of love included a succession of Scottie dogs, constant companions from childhood.
In her later years Biz cherished motor home travels that carried her “beyond the Wiscasset bridge” with her husband and dogs. These shared adventures with her beloved Rupe, visiting family and friends around the country, were the highlight of her ’empty nest’ years.
She is predeceased by her adored husband of 58 years, Rupert Neily Jr.; parents and siblings, Joe, Sally and Eleanor Neily.
Biz is survived by children, Elizabeth Neily of Salt Lake City, Ut., Rupert Neily III of West Boothbay Harbor, Sandra Neily of Greenville, Kathy Neily of New York, N.Y., and Joy Neily of Ashville, N.C.; grandchildren, Aaron, Rose, Elizabeth, and Zachary; sister-in-law, Carol Bisbee of Belfast; cousin, Larry Hinds of Wilton; and many Bisbee and Neily nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be held next summer in order to gather the greater family from around the country.
Messages may be sent to the Neilys, POB 445, West Boothbay Harbor, ME 04575.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Biz’s name to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, PO Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556.
