Ursula P. "Pat" McNiff

Ursula P. “Pat” (Spinney) McNiff … former owner of Pelham Travel

LOWELL - Ursula P. “Pat” (Spinney) McNiff of Lowell, MA, died early Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Lowell, MA, after a long illness. She was 94.

She was a life long Lowell resident; born in the city on June 25, 1929, to Manuel J. Spinney and Ursula G. Ritchie. She graduated from Lowell High School and got married to the late William E. McNiff in 1948. They were married for 52 years, until Bill's death in 2000. They made their home on the Christian Hill section of Lowell for the past 64 years, where they had 6 children: Valerie McNiff of Wells, ME; William (Sandra) McNiff Jr. of Port St. Lucie, Fl ; Donald McNiff of Lowell, MA; Lisa (Bret) Beausoleil of Littleton, NH; Mark (Deborah) of Zephyrhills, FL; and Laurie (Joseph) Desiato of Bedford, MA.

She was the beloved sister of late Helen Kearney, Evelyn McCartney, Louise Spinney, and George Spinney. She was the mother in law of the late Paula McNiff, and the grandmother of the late LCpl. Travis R. Desiato, USMC.

Along with her children, Mrs. McNiff is survived by 12 grandchildren Christopher (Kirsten) Perry, Andrea (Daniel) Holzer, Brian (Katy) McNiff, Kevin McNiff, Jillian (Jared) Villemaire, Meghan (Kyle) Ward, Ryan (Caroline) Beausoleil, Sara McNiff and her Fiance Connor McHugh, Raleigh Desiato, Tracey Desiato, Alexandra (Mark) Kirane, and Vanessa (Brad) Palmer-Desiato. She also has 10 great grandchildren: Evan and Nolette; Clyde; William; Colin, Wesley, and Kira; Emma and Bennett; and Peyton.

Mrs. McNiff was one of the first managers of CVS, starting at their store on Merrimack St. in Lowell in 1967, then moved onto store #32 at the corner of Bridge St. and West Sixth St. Mrs. McNiff eventually opened her own travel agency in Pelham, NH, and went into semi retirement. She worked well into her 70's with her daughter, daughter in-law, and son-in law at his pediatric practice. All the children called her Nana.  Mrs. McNiff enjoyed traveling with her husband to Maine, Florida, Nevada, and Cape Cod, and took a trip to Ireland and England with her daughters.  She was a left-handed knitter known for her sweaters and embroidery. Mrs McNiff was a 48 year breast cancer survivor.

Services have been held.