Margaret Joy MacNeill (formerly Doroff)

life story

Grandmother Extraordinaire!

Margie's life chapter as grandmother was magically exciting and oh so fun! She adored each of her grandchildren, enriched their lives immeasurably, and will be profoundly missed.

Margaret (Margie) Joy MacNeill, age 79, realized the promise of eternal life on December 1 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Her Catholic faith guided her days and her heart, and her family will steward with love her generosity that touched so many lives.

Margie was the third of five children, the daughter of Joy and Patrick McNeill, born and raised in St. Paul, MN. She attended Our Lady of Peace High School, then earned a B.A. in Latin from St. Catherine University. Her passion for learning also brought her to earn several advanced degrees from the University of St. Thomas. Her experiences fueled her love of literature, learning and belief in an all-girls education.

She spent her professional life shaping the formation of young women at Visitation School, first as a teacher in the middle and upper school, and later as Director of the Upper School. Her leadership inspired her colleagues and empowered her students. She was known for her heart-to-heart relationships and was a living example of Visitation’s Salesian Charism.

She brought those same Salesian Values to all her relationships, and found tremendous joy in friends and family, particularly reveling in her Mes Amis book club comrades and their astounding accomplishment reading and discussing over 400 books! She was excited by her many travel adventures, but was happiest at home spending time with those she loved (and her crossword puzzles).

Her family was the unmistakable center of her universe. She prioritized education and opportunity for her two children, Jennifer and Josh, and continued to cherish time with them. Upon retirement, she moved to Chicago to be closer to them and her grandchildren. And yes, she brought all her books with her.

Margie is survived by her two children, Jennifer Doroff Sedivy and Josh Doroff (Beth) and her seven grandchildren: Emma Schreiber (Andrew), Jack, Sam, Brendan, Hana, Henry, Ainsley; and her great-grandson Warner. She is also survived by her siblings Elizabeth (Di), Jean and Derry (Mary). Margie was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Patrick, and grandchildren Allison Margaret and Mary Sharon Sedivy.

memorial service

Mass of Christian Burial

December 13, 2023

Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church 1938 Stanford Ave, St Paul, MN 55105, USA

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am, preceded by a visitation beginning at 9:30 am, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 1900 Stanford Avenue, St. Paul, 55105. A celebratory luncheon at Nativity will follow Mass. The ceremony will also be available via LiveStream at

https://nativitystpaul.org/online-liturgies.

Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery at 2:30 pm.