Lucy Hancock Neal died in Owensboro on the 12th day of May 2025, at the age of 88. Lucy was born January 5, 1937, in Waverly, Kentucky, to Gip and Virginia Price Hancock. After their deaths and that of her two brothers, John Gip, Jr. and Bobbie Hancock, her aunt Mildred Hancock Keeney raised her and legally adopted her as did Jack Keeney, both deceased.
After years in school at St. Vincent Academy in Union County, Lucy graduated from high school at Nazareth Academy in Bardstown, Kentucky and received a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Maryville College of the Sacred Heart (now Maryville University) in St. Louis, Missouri. While teaching at St. Alphonsus High School in St. Louis, she began Graduate School at St. Louis University. Her Master of Arts degree in English Literature was completed at the University of Kentucky.
In 1961 Lucy and Thomas Edward Neal, an attorney, were married after which she moved to her husband’s hometown of Owensboro. She was on the faculty of Brescia College (now University) where she taught English and Sociology. At the Owensboro Public Library she read and recorded books for the blind.
Lucy served as President of these organizations in Owensboro: The Symphony Orchestra Alliance, the Arts Alliance of the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art, the Catholic Woman’s Club, the Sutton School PTA, and the Lafiat Guild of Brescia University.
She also served on the Board of Directors of the Owensboro-Daviess County Mental Health Association, the Altar Society of St. Stephen Cathedral, the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, and the Nazareth Academy and College Alumnae.
Lucy has been a member of St. Stephen Cathedral since 1961. She was an active, now sustaining, member of the Owensboro Junior League, the Women’s Guild, the Glenmary Guild, the Symphony Alliance, as well as a contributing member of Maryville University since her graduation in 1958.
Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Thomas Edward Neal; two daughters, Lucy Gip Neal of Owensboro, and Lee Ann Whelan (Patrick) of Louisville, and two Grandchildren, Alexandra Neal Zoeller and Chester Franklin Zoeller, IV, of Louisville.
Visitation will be at Haley McGinnis Funeral Home and Crematory on the 15th day of May 2025, from 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. with prayers at 6:00 p.m. The funeral mass will be on the 16th day of May 2025, at 10:00 a.m. St. Stephen Cathedral, officiated by Father Pat Reynolds, assisted by the Father John Thomas. Entombment will follow in the Mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery.
Those who wish may express sympathy by contributions to St. Stephen Cathedral; or any other catholic church; or the Diocese of Owensboro for the formation and retirement of priests and nuns; or the Passionats Monastery; or the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra.
Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory is honored and privileged to be entrusted with Lucy Hancock Neal’s care. Please leave condolence messages for the family of Mrs. Neal and sign their virtual guestbook at www.haleymcginnis.com.