Sr. Nila Neill, IHM, 97, died Aug. 13 at the IHM Senior Living Community.

Anne Mary Theresa Saunders Neill was born in Toronto May 17, 1921, to John and Mary (Courtney) Saunders, shortly after her father died. Her mother married James Neill, and a brother and sister joined the family. Anne Mary entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1939, receiving the religious name Sr. Nila.

Sr. Neill earned degrees from Marygrove College and the University of Detroit, and her ministry spanned 40-plus years. She was missioned in Michigan to St. John, Monroe; St. Louis, Mount Clemens; St. Matthew, Flint; St. Gregory, Our Lady of Good Counsel, and Holy Redeemer High School, Detroit; Holy Name, Birmingham; Marian High School, Bloomfield Hills; and St. Stephen, Port Huron; as well as parishes and institutions in Illinois, Puerto Rico, Delaware, California and Florida. Throughout her ministries, Sr. Neill developed religious education programs and encouraged devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary through community service.

Sr. Neill later continued in education as support staff at Marygrove, and returned to Monroe to serve her community as administration support staff for six years. She later assisted in the IHM Archives Office.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Aug. 16 at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe. Burial followed in St. Mary Cemetery on the Motherhouse Campus.