Anne Louise Cekella

Anne Louise Cekella, born May 21, 1939 in Johnstown, PA. Anne was an only child, raised Catholic, played clarinet in the band, top student and homecoming queen.  She was proud of her Italian heritage and learned the language from her mother and grandmother. She graduated from South Fork High School in 1957, and graduated Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Johnstown, PA in 1960. Anne served as an Italian & Polish interpreter for patients and families while in nursing school.

Anne married her grade school sweetheart Fred R Cekella in June 1961. They started their married life in Corning, NY where she worked at the Corning Glass Works as an industrial nurse. A few years later, the couple became parents to Antoinette on Valentine’s Day, and a year later in, Canton, NY, they welcomed their son, Christopher.

Anne spent the next 2 decade involved with the Catholic Church activities, joined a bowling league, enjoyed golf, entertaining, various moves to KY, WV, NY, and OH. Anne loved reading, singing and always humming a tune; camping, festivals, holidays, and being with family and friends. In Marietta OH, Anne volunteered in the Marietta Welcome Wagon Committee. When their kids went off to college, Anne obtained and discovered her new talent as a Real Estate agent in Hudson, OH.  

In 1990, Anne and Fred moved to Asheville, NC. The last 33 years were filled with traveling to visit family, attending class reunions in PA, beach trips, vacations to FL, AK, SC, New England, St Croix VI, a couple of cruises, and a memorable trip to Chattanooga and New Orleans. She enjoyed outings to the Flat Rock Playhouse, dining out, playing cards/games. Anne adored the outdoors, gardening and bird watching. Her favorite sceneries were the “peaky” mountain seen from Asheville, and the ocean & beaches of SC. She renewed her RN license and worked for MAPA pediatric office for years, then Thom’s rehab hospital, and lastly volunteered at Hospice Solace Center.  She valued time volunteering at St Eugene with church activities such as Women’s Guild, offertory counter and a women’s shelter.

Anne’s was known for being social, a great friend, and medically knowledgeable, but her biggest joy was being “Nana”.   She loved her grandchildren and celebrated all their milestones and activities. Anne was a Godmother to relatives’ & friends’ children as well. The perfect mother and mother figure!

Anne is preceded in death by her parents, Charles & Pauline (Valponi) Dorin; her 4 favorite Valponi uncles; her sister-in-law, Shirley Beyer & husband Edward R Beyer; her only niece, Susan Beyer and a nephew, Kevin Beyer (still living – his wife, Tammy).

Anne is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, Fred R Cekella; their 2 children, Antoinette Eling & husband Jason, Christopher Cekella & wife Patricia; six grandchildren: Colter Cekella (Kayla), Jacob Voss, Emily Berger (Andrew), Caleb Cekella, Joel Eling & Anna Grace Eling; and, Nana’s 3 Eling step- grandchildren: Matt (Melissa), Dillion & Adam. Other surviving relatives are a nephew Edward F. Beyer & wife Ida; Beyer great nieces and nephews: Amanda, Jessica, Justin, Josh, and Travis; and, other cousins, & friends.

Anne developed Alzheimer’s dementia about 15 years ago.  She was loved and cared for at home. Fred cared for his sweetheart wife “in sickness and in health, till death did they part”.  Anne was truly a Valentine to every person and heart she touched. God called Nana from her Asheville home to be with him at her heavenly forever home on Feb 13, 2023.    She will be missed till God calls us to reunite with her again.

The funeral mass will be held at 10am, Saturday March 25, 2023, at St Eugene Catholic Church, Asheville, NC where Anne was a parishioner.  Rev Dr. Michael Zboyovski, Deacon will officiate. 

For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Anne’s obituary at www.westfamilyfuneralservices.com.

I thought of you today, but that is nothing new.

I thought about you yesterday and days before that too.

I think of you in silence, I often speak your name.

All I have are memories and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is a keepsake from which I’ll never part.

God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart.

(author unknown)