Mary Cécile (McNeil) Bright, 78

Sept. 2, 1938 – March 15, 2017

With heavy hearts and sorrow, we announce the passing of Cécile Bright. Beloved wife to the late Emory William Bright for 42 years, Cécile unexpectedly passed away in her home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on March 15, 2017.

Cécile was born in Central Falls, R.I., on Sept. 2, 1938, to parents William and Olivette McNeil. She is survived by her children, Karen, Renee, Monica and Shaun; grandchildren Kayla, Nicholas, Parker and Preston; great-grandchild Kinzley; sisters Terry, Rita, Doris, Laurette and Diane; brothers Andy, Raymond, Paul, Henry and Richard; as well as numerous other family members and dear and loving friends.

Cécile was well-known for her infectious laugh and big bright smile. She was kind and welcoming to everyone she met, she loved helping people and was a kind and gentle soul who never met a stranger. Always willing to have fun, she loved to travel and collect things. She wore many hats during her lifetime, including being a Licensed Vocational Nurse, housewife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Per her request, she will be cremated and her ashes will be both interred with her loving husband, Emory, at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Calif., and dispersed from a mountain so that she can continue to be part of the Earth.

English Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Mary’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.

The family will hold three remembrance celebrations: Idaho at Bestland Retirement Home, from 4-5 p.m. Friday, April 21, 2017; California at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, at 9:31 a.m. Friday, June 9, 2017; and East Coast with her siblings (date not yet set).