Madelyn Phillips ONeil, a former dance teacher at Greenwich Academy, died May 26 at her home in Bedford, Mass. She was 98.
ONeil grew up in Wenham, Mass., where she developed a love of performing. She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City after her graduation from Smith College. She worked with a summer stock company in New Hampshire and was briefly a fashion model.
In 1939, she met Horton ONeil, an architect working as a set designer and they married the next year. The pair moved to Cos Cob with two young children a few years later. ONeil performed locally with a small dance group and taught dance at Greenwich Academy for 10 years. She went on to perform historical womens poetry with The Pocket People, among other theater groups. The Greenwich Arts Council awarded her the Artist Laureate Award for her years of contribution in dance and theater.
ONeil is survived by her sister Nina Engel of Ossining, N.Y.; daughter Joellen ONeil of Concord, Mass.; son David ONeil of Lincoln, Mass., and daughter in-law Barbara ONeil; and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held June 12 at 2 p.m. at the First Parish Church, 14 Bedford Road, Lincoln, Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Greenwich Arts Council, 299 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT. 06803.
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