ASHTABULA — Elizabeth (Betty) Joann Cellitti, age 82, passed away Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at the Ashtabula County Medical Center, following a lengthy illness. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her death. She is now in the arms of God and her parents.
She was born Jan. 15, 1927, in Ashtabula, the daughter of the late Felicita (Arp) and John Vitale.
Betty was a 1945 graduate of Ashtabula High School. Upon graduating from the Ashtabula Business College, she worked for Ohio Bell Telephone Company in Ashtabula. She was also a professional pianist and played with several local bands for many years. After her marriage to Eugene J. Cellitti on Nov. 24, 1949, she worked for the family business, Cellitti’s Market. Betty and Eugene would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Tuesday.
Betty was a homemaker who loved taking care of her family. She was a member of the PTA and a homeroom mother for her children. She crocheted many baby sweaters, hats and blankets, which she gave away as gifts. She was a wonderful baker and made delicious cakes and was an artist at decorating them for birthdays and special occasions. She also liked to play bingo on Wednesday mornings at St. Joseph Mission.
The memory her children will always hold close will be of their mom playing the piano while they all sang songs together. A caring wife, giving mother, the best grandmother and a beautiful friend, she was greatly loved and will be sadly missed.
Betty was always praying for someone and said the Novena daily. She had a special gift of befriending everyone that walked into her home, she was compassionate and loving and always there to listen, to know her was to love her.
Survivors include her husband, Eugene; two daughters, Terri (Joel) Cuffman and Donna (Herman) Madden, both of Ashtabula; one son, Dominic Cellitti of Cleveland; grandchildren, Tracy (Chris) DeLuca of Geneva and Cami Stebbins of Ashtabula; great-grandchildren, Cameron, Gabriella and Gianna DeLuca and Isabel Clement; brother, John Vitale of Painesville; and a special friend, Phyllis Allegretto.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Felicita and John Vitale; a special aunt, Lucille Arp; and special friends and neighbors, Mary Pirrello and Barb Acierno.
Funeral Service will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 25th, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Burial to follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Calling Hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 24th, at GUERRIERO FUNERAL HOME, 1550 W. 19th St., Ashtabula.
Obituary and condolences at starbeacon.com.
