East York, Party Night

Oh ! What a night. The McNeal’s gathered again and had a fabulous time on May 13th 2017.

Margaret had not been well so Gay and Neal decided to hold a birthday party for her, two weeks shy of her actual 82nd birthday.

It was held in the pub room on the ground floor of the lovely retirement place Margaret now calls home. Julie, her niece, made it in all the way from Dubai, Audrey, Margaret’s school friend of 75 years arrived from England, Samantha, her granddaughter came from British Columbia and Zoe, her niece flew in from Alberta.

Gay and Louise helped with accommodations and Neal put up Robin and Catherine when they drove down from Cornwall. Tanya and family arrived from Stouffville in two cars and many old friends came from Toronto, people Margaret had worked with, as well as the new ones she has made since living at Revera.

All dressed up for the part, Margaret, started the night’s entertainment off by singing and dancing, with Louise, to ” Sisters “. Tanya and Zoe helped with giving extra vocal harmonies. This was a repeat performance, from nearly 30 years ago, when the four of them had taken the stage at a MacNeil in Canada ceilidh. Gay, Julie, Dale and Samantha gave a rendition of Margaret’s favorite poem, ” When I wear Purple “. Louise, Elise, Julie, Tanya and Nathan followed, singing and dancing to ” We’re a group of Swells ” music helped a lot for our repertoires, which was organized by Neal. Nathan finished the entertainment with his performance of ” Mary Had A Little Lamb” played on his recorder. Continually, between the delights of the evening, there was dancing and gaiety with music played on a keyboard by Doug, Margaret’s neighbour and friend from Revera.

There was loads of food, plenty of starters, complete with green potatoes and then a huge amount of chicken wings, meat balls and sweet potato fries. Followed by deserts. Scott and Neal manned the bar so no one went without food or drink.

Julie hustled to put together a fabulous book of the night aided by Louise and Zoe. It not only contained photos of Mum, Dad, brother George and little Alan, all we have lost over the years, but also pictures of Margaret growing up and the family as it has been getting larger and larger. A super keepsake of a great night. Andy, Elise and Julie took loads of photos during the evening which we can add to the book to make it extra special, and everyone signed it with their own special message for a wonderful lady.

Gayathry was dressed in a beautiful blue sari, her national dress, and the Mc Neal tartan was a blaze throughout the room. Neal and Robin wore their kilts as did Louise, Julie and Zoe. Gay and Catherine wore their sashes. Tanya and her girls wore brooches of Mc Neal emblems.

The evening’s frolics began at 7pm and by 9.45pm Margaret’s strength started to wane. She had danced and sang and thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere, with all her family and good friends around her, and stayed longer than anyone had imagined. Gay accompanied her, up in the elevator, to her flat on the seventh floor while the rest of us tidied the room.

Gay, Neal and Louise wish to thank all who came to make this ceilidh a special time for all of us.

George William and Elise Mc Neal would have been very proud of their family tonight as we gathered to honour our oldest surviving member – Margaret.