Obituary: Olive W. (Hall) McNeil DuBois Coleman, Featured in a Commercial for Gorton's of Gloucester that was Expanded into a Documentary

Obituary from Campbell Funeral Home.

Olive W. (Hall) McNeil DuBois Coleman, passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at the Kaplan Family House Hospice in Danvers surrounded by her loving family. She was 93.

Born on Cherry Street in Wenham in 1921, Olive spent her life in Beverly where she attended school, raised a family and became a successful businesswoman and community leader. Her nursery school, Mrs. McNeil’s Half Acres, was an institution on the North Shore. Her business, The Olive Branch, natural wreaths she handcrafted. Olive served as the President of the Women’s Division of the Beverly Chamber of Commerce twice. She was also active in the Ryal Side Civil Association and other community organizations.

A devoted naturalist and gifted artist, Olive combined her love of nature and art in a portfolio of photographs and paintings that spanned decades. Her grandchildren were among her favorite subjects. Together they took camping and canoe trips many of which were documented in her numerous sketchbooks.

Later in life, she developed an avocation as an actress. She was featured in a commercial for Gorton’s of Gloucester that was expanded into a documentary that vividly depicted her passionate commentary about an area she loved so much.

When she was not pursuing her many hobbies Olive could be found walking on Singing Beach or at Lynch Park or munching on fried clams at Farnham’s in Essex followed by an ice cream cone at Cherry Farms in Beverly. She lived every day to the fullest.

A matriarch in every sense of the word, she is survived by her children Ruth Foss of Hampton, NH, Charles McNeil and his wife Maureen Flatley of Essex, MA, Deborah Hall - McNeil of Easthampton, MA, Mary Pratt and her husband Andy Pratt of Hampton Falls, NH. She also survived by twelve grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her sisters and brother, Ruth Hall Perry, Edward Hall, Ethel Hall Thibodeau and her husbands, Charles A. McNeil Sr., Joseph Dubois and George Coleman.

Funeral Services will be held at the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly, Monday, April 20 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours on Sunday from 2 - 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to The Trustees of the Reservations or the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com .