Greta Neilan
New London — Greta Johnson Neilan, 90, of New London, died peacefully Sunday, March 5, 2017, at Westerly Hospital after a brief illness with her family at her side.
She was born in New London on July 16, 1926, the daughter of Ole and Amy Krogsvold Johnson who emigrated to Groton from Oslo, Norway. Greta was raised in Groton and was a 1944 graduate of Fitch High School, where she led the marching band as drum majorette. She was an accomplished percussionist and attended New England Music Camp (NEMC) in the Belgrade Lake region of Maine. She was also an dancer in her youth, with mastery in ballet and tap. After high school, and prior to her marriage, she was employed as a supervisor for the Southern New England Telephone Co.
Greta and husband, former New London Mayor Hubert A. Neilan, enjoyed 59 years of marriage before his death in 2005. Hub and Gret were avid supporters of the New London community. She was an active volunteer and involved in many community organizations including the Lawrence + Memorial LAMBS club, The Public Library of New London, Child and Family Agency, and the New London Food Coalition. In her recent years, she enjoyed her weekly bridge group, the Faire Harbor Club, and continued to volunteer at the New London Food Pantry.
She is survived by four sons, James P. Neilan (Irene) of Nashville, Tenn., Thomas L. Neilan (Nancy) of Bolton, David M. Neilan of Portland, Maine, and Christopher J. Neilan (Mary) of Waterford; a daughter, Eileen Carney (David) of Scituate, Mass.; son-in-law Terrence McLaughlin (Mary Jane) of Stonington. She was grandmother to 14 grandchildren and great-grandmother of six. She was predeceased by a daughter, Kären McLaughlin (Terrence) and siblings, John Johnson and Thelma DeRemer.
The Neilan family would like to thank those who made our mother’s final weeks comfortable, especially the staff of Bayview Healthcare and the Lawrence + Memorial and Westerly Hospitals.
Calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London. The funeral procession will assemble at 10:15 on Friday, March 10, and proceed to a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Church. Interment in St. Mary Cemetery will be private on a later date.
As Greta was a longtime communicant of St. Joseph Church, memorial contributions may be directed to either the St. Joseph Church Capital Campaign or to the St. Joseph School Endowment Fund. Please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com to view Greta’s video tribute or to leave a note of condolence.