Rae C. (Tracy) (McNeil) Rowell, 92, Worked at Haverhill’s Stevens-Bennett Home

Rae C. (Tracy) (McNeil) Rowell of Haverhill passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at Penacook Place in Haverhill surrounded by her loving family.

Rowell, who was a lifelong Christian and prayer warrior, was born on Sept. 13, 1925 in Kingston, N.H., the daughter of Clarence and Lillian (Thomas) Tracy.

She grew up in the Rosemont section of Haverhill and worked in in the shoe industry, at Eastern Canvas and at Haverhill’s Stevens-Bennett Home as well as AT&T / Lucent Technologies in North Andover. She was a longtime member of the Salvation Army in Haverhill and in the past, could be seen ringing the bell at various locations around Haverhill. At the age of 60, Rowell took a course in sign language at Northern Essex Community College to help her communicate while visiting with homebound elders. She most enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, knitting, needlework, and bingo.

Rowell was predeceased by her husbands Richard L. McNeil and Herbert E. Rowell, as well as her brothers Clarence, Glenn, Clayton, Lee and Forrest Tracy and sisters Shirley Swett, and Jacqueline Woodman and stepdaughter Betty Ann (Rowell) Blake. Her surviving family members include her sister Dulcie Beauregard of Haverhill, children Richard L. McNeil, Jr., and wife Erika of Groveland, Scott E. McNeil and wife Sherry of Friendship, N.Y., Karen J. Dichard and husband Dave of Concord, N.H., and Rebecca C. Mitchell and husband James of Haverhill. She also leaves behind 15 cherished grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 29, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 South Main St., Haverhill from 2-5 p.m. Services will begin at 5 p.m. Burial will take place graveside on Thursday in Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill at 10 a.m.