Cheryl (Cheri) Lynn McNeil

It is with broken hearts that we share the passing of Cheryl Lynn McNeil, who passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love, on August 2, 2026, at the age of 73.

Cheryl was born on June 10, 1953, in Miles City, Montana. She spent her life caring for others in every way she knew how. She believed in the power of education and never stopped learning, earning her bachelor’s degree along with two master’s degrees. As a counselor, Cheryl had an incredible ability to make people feel seen, heard, and understood. She was the kind of person who could sit with someone through their hardest moments without judgment, offering kindness, wisdom, and hope when they needed it most.

On August 26, 2006, Cheryl married the love of her life, Scott McNeil. Together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and an unwavering commitment to one another. They were partners in every sense of the word.

More than anything, Cheryl loved her family. She was proud to be a wife, a mom, a grandma, and a great-grandma. Those roles meant more to her than any degree or career ever could. Some of life’s best moments were simply the ones spent together, and those are the memories her family will hold onto forever.

She is survived by her loving husband, Scott McNeil; her stepson, Jeff McNeil; her daughters-in-law, Lisa McNeil and Elizabeth McNeil; her cherished grandchildren, Eric, MacKenzie, Ciara, Taylor, and Colson McNeil; her treasured great-grandson, Madden McNeil; her sister, Carla (Roger) Muggli; her brother, Michael (Myrna) Higgins; her sister-in-law, Kayrene Higgins; her brother-in-law David Anderson and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

She was welcomed into heaven by her beloved son, Joseph “Joey” McNeil; a grandson Rylan McNeil; her parents, Floyd and June Higgins; and her siblings, Connie Anderson and John Higgins.

The people Cheryl loved never questioned it. She had a quiet strength, a gentle heart, and a way of making everyone around her feel like they mattered. She gave so much of herself to others, and that love will continue to live on in the family she cherished and the countless lives she touched.

A visitation and viewing will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026, at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home beginning at 10:00 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m., with a graveside service immediately afterward. Family and friends are invited to gather afterward at Club Moderne to share a meal, stories, and memories as we celebrate Cheryl’s life together.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the “I Love You Bro Project” in honor of both Cheryl and her son, Joey. Through this gift, their memory can continue to encourage compassion, support, and conversations surrounding mental health.

Our hearts will never be the same without her, but we are grateful for every lesson she taught, every hug she gave, every life she touched, and every memory she leaves behind. We will carry her with us always.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home is privileged to care for Cheryl and her family.