Cornelia Neal, age 85, formerly of Saranac Lake died Thursday, May 21, 2009 at the AMC-Uihlein Mercy Center in Lake Placid where she had been a resident since 2004.

Born in New York City, New York on April 16, 1924, she was the daughter of Kenneth and Vivienne (Burroughs) Clapp. She married James “Bob” R. Neal on September 12, 1946. He predeceased her on April 29, 2001.

Cornelia graduated from Westover School. She attended journalism school in New York, and subsequently wrote for Vogue magazine. She and her husband lived in Charlottesville, Virginia for many years before moving to Saranac Lake in 1996. In Charlottesville, Cornelia was a valued patient advocate in the emergency room and surgical units at The University of Virginia Hospital.
She is survived by one daughter Susan Neal and her husband Bob Pettee of Saranac Lake, NY, one son James "Rob" Neal and his wife Kimberly "Kimmey" of Hillsboro, OR and her granddaughter Kate Pettee of Saranac Lake, NY.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will take place at 10:00 AM on Thursday May 28, 2009 at the Uihlein Mercy Center Chapel in Lake Placid, with Rev. Patrick O'Reilly officiating.

Friends wishing to remember Cornelia Neal may make memorial contributions to a favorite charity in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Cornelia Neal (Clapp), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.