Profile photo of Daisy Mae McNeill 

Daisy Mae McNeill 

DecDecember 22nd, 1933 AugAugust 23rd, 2026
Bronx, New York
Daisy Mae McNeill 

This family is precious and should be handled with pride, dignity and respect. -Daisy 

Announcement

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Daisy Mae McNeill, who was born on December 22, 1933 and passed away peacefully on August 23, 2026 in her home in The Bronx, NY.

She made us promise to respect her wishes which was “no funeral, no memorial, no obituary”. Anyone that knew Daisy, knew she did life her way, and when she made up her mind, that was it. 

Family meant a great deal to Daisy, and relationships were always nurtured with thoughtful reach outs, weekly calls, and cherishing every text, call, letter or photo shared with her. Everyone had their own special thing they shared with her.

The passing of Daisy leaves a space that cannot be filled. Yet the memories, lessons, and moments shared will continue to live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate to know her. Think about her the next time you show up for the family, or take a nice photo of yourself - which she loved to see.

Daisy will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

According to Daisy

Daisy kept a list of important dates to her. You can see them on the timeline below.

Timeline

1933
December 22nd
Daisy Mae McNeill Born
Laurinberg, North Carolina
1952
June 10th
Graduated High School
Julia Richmand High School
New York, NY
1952
November 15th
Married Elliot Smith
New York, NY 
1953
May 23rd
Daughter Sharon Smith Born
New York, NY
1960
April 1st
Daisy McNeill & John Bessellieu Met
1962
June 20th
Daughter Tracey Bessellieu Born
New York, NY
1963
November 23rd
Daisy’s Mom Esther Passed
1995
December 30th
Daisy Retired
Worked for Peter’s Cleaners later renamed Madame Paulette’s as their accountant
New York, NY
1996
December 14th
Moved to Charlotte, North Carolina
1997
February 16th
Daisy McNeill & John Bessellieu got married
Charlotte, NC
1998
August 28th
Purchased House
Charlotte, NC
2010
December 15th
Husband, John Bessellieu passed
Long Island, NY
2018
September 9th
Moved Back to the Bronx, NY
Bronx, NY
2026
August 23rd
Daisy Mae McNeill peacefully passed
Bronx, NY

Gallery

Memory wall

Post a message or share your favorite memories and photos.


September 3, 2026
Tracey,
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. My prayers are with you and your family. May the happy memories bring you comfort and strength. This is beautiful tribute.
Love,
Shyla
Shyla Newton
September 3, 2026
Tracey,
This is such an incredible tribute to your beautiful mother. I’m so very sorry for your loss. Sending prayers.
Love,
Stephanie Walker
Stephanie Walker
September 3, 2026
On behalf of the Armstrong-McKee Family Reunion Committee and family members, we extend our sincere condolences to Cousin Daisy's family. We know your heart is heavy now with sadness and hope your memories of love and care will help carry you through. Cousin Daisy was an important part of many of the family reunions over the years. We ask God's blessings of comfort and peace to all of you.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Armstrong-McKee Family Reunion Committee
Laurinburg, NC
Armstrong-McKee Family
September 1, 2026
Cousin DAISY ALL THE TIME WE TALKED AND LAUGHED ABOUT JUST ANY THING I AM MISSING YOU ALREADY YOU TOLD ME YOU LOVE ME AND I WOULD SAY I LOVE YOU MORE AND YOU WOULD SAY HOW YOU KNOW LOL JUST BECAUSE your my cousin Daisy
Maggie Southerland
September 1, 2026
My Dear Cousin Daisy. Oh, how much I love you. I will forever cherish our memories, talks, guidance & laughs. An amazing soul you were. I love you forevermore. 💐

Your "Little Daisy"
please give my Dad a hug & kiss for me. I know he was waiting with open arms and the biggest smile for you 💕
Courtney Ivey
September 1, 2026
Tracey,

What a beautiful gallery wall of pictures of your mom. My prayers and thoughts are with you especially during this time.
Be in all the moments.
Hugs and Hugs.
Pamela A. Mills
Pamela A. Mills
August 31, 2026
I was the sister/friend of Jeannie Milone. She told me that if anything ever happened to her, the only person I should contact was her Aunt Daisy, On the day that I finally called, Daisy knew it wasn't good because Jeannie had also told her that I was the emergency contact. I never met Daisy in person, but when Jeannie died I cried on her shoulder many a time by phone. We also shared a lot of laughs together. I can see why Jeannie loved her so much. Daisy had a great sense of humor. I told her I'd go to the Bronx to take her to dinner sometime, but we never got to hang out. I didn't speak with her as often as I wanted to this summer due to a work project that was taking too much of my time. I called her yesterday and when I realized her phone was disconnected, I wondered if she'd gone on to join Jeannie. When I found her on this website, it brought tears to my eyes to know that she's joined the loved ones that I've lost in recent years, but I'm going to tell myself the same thing that gives me comfort when i miss Jeannie: Daisy has gone on to collect her heavenly reward, and it's so much more glorious than anything that could have happened for her on earth. Daisy, Jeannie, and all of my loved ones finally feel no pain and no sorrow. I will miss my chats with my beloved adopted Aunt Daisy. Daisy, thank you so much for the love, peace and comfort that you gave to me when I was hurting. I'm going to miss you so much. May you rest in eternal peace, dear woman. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and I love you.
Regina Guienze Tinti
August 31, 2026
I met Tracey when I was 13 years old, and we have been friends for 51 years. She is like the sister I never had.

Ms. Daisy was like a second mother to me, and she always treated me as one of her daughters. When she moved back to the Bronx, she would often call me and send me photos. She even had pictures of Tracey, Lynn, and me from when we were teenagers. Seeing those memories was simply amazing and something I will always cherish.

Ms. Daisy will be missed immensely. Her love, warmth, and beautiful memories will continue to live on through Tracey and through everyone whose life she touched.

Rest peacefully, Ms. Daisy. You were truly loved and will never be forgotten. ❤️❤️
Cheryl Ward Strickland
August 31, 2026
Sister Tracey,

Thank you for inviting to me to spend some time with her!!!! I am forever grateful!!

I will look back at our time together, few calls, texts messages and will smile & laugh!

Love you all!
Tanya Adams
August 31, 2026
August 31, 2026
Cousin Daisy I will miss you very much. I remember the countless Saturday's that you would pick up my mother Maggie and my sister Brenda and myself and we would go shopping and visiting family or friends in New Jersey. Then we would end up at Dairy Queen eating ice cream and then head back home to The Bronx.
With Much ❤️
Cousin Robin
Robin Benefield
August 31, 2026
For more than 45 years, your daughter has been my Bestie, my sister, and one of the greatest blessings in my life. And somewhere along the way, you became a mother to me, too.

You loved me like I was your own daughter, and I loved you just the same. You would call me to talk about things you couldn’t even discuss with your own daughter, and I will always treasure the trust, love, laughter, and memories we shared.

You were so much more than my Bestie’s mother—you were family. You had a special place in my heart that no one could ever take.

Thank you for loving me, believing in me, and allowing me to love you in return. Your beautiful spirit will live on through your daughter, through all the memories we made, and forever in my heart.

I love you always. Until we meet again. ❤️Thamara
Thamara Garcia
August 31, 2026
Cousin Daisy will truly be missed, she was a phenomenal woman & our entire family was so blessed to have her. I wish we had more memories but we’ll have more some day!
Summer

Daisy’s Favorite Song


What was Daisy's favorite Music / Song?
You’re the Best Thing That’s Ever Happened to Me - Gladys Knight & The Pips
(press audio button in the bottom left corner to hear song and click slideshow in the gallery)

Family Photos

As we continue to sort through Daisy’s photos, we will continue updating the albums in the gallery. She would want her family and friends to be able to see them. If you choose to subscribe to “gallery images” below, you will be notified of new uploads. All photos are able to be downloaded. 
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