Veronica Jean (Haskins) Waters went home to the Lord on March 11, 2024, at the age of 75, after a courageous four-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. A native of Boston, MA, Veronica was born on September 1, 1948, in the heart of Roxbury. Veronica was the beloved daughter of the late Roger Edward Haskins II and Ida Louise Haskins.
Roni, a name she is lovingly called by all, graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Roxbury and Newton College of the Sacred Heart in Newton, MA.
Roni selflessly dedicated her time and expertise to the Board of Directors at the Roxbury-North Dorchester Area Planning Council, advocating tirelessly for youth services, education, job training, healthcare, welfare, and fair housing in the Roxbury–North Dorchester communities. She was an active member of the Urban League of Eastern MA and the Urban League Ladies’ Guild. As a Black Caucus member, Roni volunteered and campaigned for her local, state, and National Democratic Party.
Roni’s career path led her first to the criminal justice system. She first served as a supervisor to fellow correction officers at MCI-Framingham in the late 1970s. However, she chose to seize career advancement and educational opportunities at the Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). From 1980 to 1998, Roni committed to DEC, focusing on employee training and education.
Following the DEC division sale to Global Knowledge, Roni relocated to Holly Springs, NC, where she continued her successful career until 2017 with 40 years of exemplary service.
Roni is survived by her three loving children: Dara S. Haskins from North Carolina, Tianna Hyde from New Mexico, and Kruise W. Waters from North Carolina. Her four grandchildren, Carlton, Kailyn, Tyrese, and Avery, brought immense joy to her life.
She was the beloved sister to Dorothy E. Haskins from Roxbury, MA, sister-in-law to Edith Haskins, and a cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews.
Roni was preceded in death by her husband, Abraham McNeil, after 21 years of marriage, sisters, Rogera E. Robinson, Sally Ann Conklin, Irene C. Rogers, and her brother Roger E. Haskins III.
The Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at Boston’s Basilica Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 1545 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120, on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
