Doris G. Neill

Doris Guillot Neill- known to her friends and loved ones as “Dorina”, “Dor-Dor”, and, most affectionately, as “Dottie”- was born to her parents, Herbert and Pearl Guillot, on November 21, 1935, in New Orleans, LA. She died peacefully at her home, surrounded by family, on January 8, 2021 in Monroe, LA.
Dottie grew up as an only child in the heart of New Orleans, the old Crescent City. There, she learned the shape of a smile and never failed to wear it. As with any great smile, and with an even better heart behind it, Dottie made and maintained many lifelong friends in New Orleans, throughout her schooling at Isidore Newman and Sophia Newcomb College, and beyond that through simply existing in the New Orleans bon temps as a beautiful, thoughtful, and cheerful soul.
It was in New Orleans where Dottie met her husband and father of her sons, Sandy Stephens. Her sons, Gray, Michael, and Curtis were the lights of her life. In 1960, they moved to the yet-unknown Monroe, Louisiana, where, with the help of a village, Dottie raised her three young boys into fine young men who adored their mother. It was also in Monroe where Dottie became, over the many years, an institution, a household name for many, where she made and kept some of the dearest of friends, where she celebrated her grandchildren (the first no more than the last), where she toasted and cheers’d at the 605 Club, where she embodied the heartfelt songs of Sinatra, and where she met her ultimate soulmate, James “Jimmy” Neill, who she married in 1996 at their favorite place and second home, their “Casa de Lago” on Lake Bruin.
Dottie’s life with Jimmy was something of a Hemingway story: with Jimmy, she caught huge fish, she hunted, she sailed, and she absolutely adored Italy. All that was missing was the brandy (although, the clear varietal preferred for Dottie’s “special” was in sure supply). Also, Dottie always lived her own life. She was never anything but herself; she did not need to worry about being anything else because her heart was, by nature, always true, always present, right there with you, enjoying your presence, listening to you, and so abundantly loving you. Those were the moments she spoke of when she spoke of family, when she laughed with friends, when she spoke of cheers, and when she shared her tears. These are the moments which have made us all better people for having shared them with her, and for which we will surely miss her the most.
Dottie is survived by her three boys, Gray Stephens, wife Susan, Mike Stephens, wife Sherry, and Curtis Stephens, fiancée Marlo, seven of her grandchildren Anna Beth Stephens Godfrey (Steven), John Stephens (Ashley), Katherine Stephens (Jesse), James Stephens (Chelsea), Erin Stephens, Katie Stephens, Rivers Stephens, and by her seven great-grandchildren, all of whom she was so proud. She was predeceased by her grandson, Thomas Stephens, and her husband, Jimmy Neill, both of whom she missed dearly (and both of whom are sitting with her now, on the end of a pier in a place like Lake Bruin, because that is her heaven).
Due to Covid-19, there will be a private family service at Mulhearn’s Cemetery on Saturday January 16th, with Reverend John Mabray officiating. It is the family’s wish, as well as Dottie’s, that all friends would raise a glass to many years of friendship and good memories.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Humane Society Adoption Center, 920 Freight Drive, Monroe, LA, 71203.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dottie’s caregivers, Susan, Elzie and Katherine Gibson, for their compassionate care.
Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com