Catherine Celelli

Catherine Celelli passed away peacefully, at the age of 96, at Guthrie Corning Hospital with her family by her side. She was the oldest of four daughters born to Joseph and Lillian (Raco) Gramoglia.

Catherine was married to Peter R. Celelli, (deceased) at St. Vincent de Paul Church and together had four children. They would have celebrated their 78th wedding anniversary this year.

In her early years, Catherine was a waitress at the Wilbridge Hotel (which later became Lando’s Hotel and Lounge), and then went on to run the concession stand at the Painted Post Drive-in. She also managed the lunch counter at the Woolworth’s on Denison Parkway before joining Corning, Inc. as a procurement specialist for raw materials for making glass.

Catherine loved to travel with her family everywhere from the eastern seaboard and tropical islands to Hawaii and beyond. She enjoyed bus trips with her sisters, and even went skiing in Switzerland. She was a fearless, feisty little lady. Mostly, she loved family gatherings with her three sisters and their families. Her favorite pastime was her garden, where she was always trying new plants, and seeing what she could root and grow new.

Once retired, Catherine and her husband purchased a home in Florida where she was proud to say they were “Snowbirds” for 24 years. Along with her sister Victoria, they organized the annual Corning Glass Retirement Picnic in Lakeland. Catherine and Victoria enjoyed line dancing, bike riding and daily walks together.

After Peter’s passing, Catherine moved into her new 55+ apartment. Not one to sit idle, she volunteered her time within the community and took great pleasure in “managing the kitchen.” She could be seen walking the perimeter of the building on her morning walks and maintaining a small flower garden outside with the help of her good friend, Dwayne. Eventually moving to Assisted Living, she continued her love of gardening with Sarah, the wonderful activity director. In 2020 Catherine moved to Three Rivers Nursing home. There, she could always be found rolling around in her wheelchair, keeping the nurses on their toes, and being the social butterfly we have all come to know.

Catherine was a faithful, devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt and grandmother. She loved having her family with her and will be missed by many.

She is survived by her daughter, Tina (Brian) DiGiacomo of Maryland; son, Joseph (Janice) Celelli of Painted Post, NY; daughers-in-law, Sandra (the late Peter J.), Sandra (the late Daniel) Celelli and Judith Celelli; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Peter R. Celelli; sons, Daniel M. and Peter J. Celelli; and sisters, Rose Pangallo, Victoria Bonady and Joanne Haischer.

The family would like to thank the nurses and aides at Guthrie Corning Hospital, Absolute Care Three Rivers and CareFirst for their kindness, care and support.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Friday, August 5, 2022 from 1-2PM at St. Mary’s Church, 155 State Street in Corning with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow. Father Matthew Jones will be officiating. Burial will be private in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) or American Heart Association (www.heart.org).

Catherine’s family has entrusted her care to Haughey Funeral Home, Inc.