McNeil served the diocese for 20 years

Published: April 1, 2016

Martha McNeil, secretary for 20 years to the late Bishop Andrew J. McDonald, died March 11. She was 87.

McNeil was born Sept. 12, 1928, in Conway to Charlie and Mary Enderlin Seiter. She was a graduate of St. Joseph School in Conway. McNeil started working for Bishop McDonald in 1973, a year after he became bishop in Arkansas. She and her husband of 66 years, Charlie, were close friends with Bishop McDonald sharing many “meals and trips together,” according to her family.

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock and a part of many organizations, including Immaculate Conception Altar Society, the Golden Falcons, perpetual adoration and Mother of Perpetual Help devotion, a lifetime member of St. Edward Christian Mother’s Sodality and Catholic Business Women. An avid cook, McNeil won many awards at the Arkansas State Fair. She was well-known for her baked goods, including “Martha’s Perfect Divinity.”

She is survived by her husband Charlie McNeil; one daughter, Janet Finch; three brothers, Chas Seiter, Louis Seiter and Father Joe Seiter; one sister, Barbara Ketcheside; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A visitation and rosary were held on March 17 and a Mass of Christian Burial was March 18 at Immaculate Conception Church.