She was born in the Bronx on Feb. 18, 1931, and lived most of her early years in Mount Vernon, New York, where she also went to school.
When her father passed away she moved with her mother to stay with grandparents in Brooklyn.
Celia took courses enabling her to do some office work. She was hired by the Hearst Company and worked for many years in the mail room for Hearst Magazines.
When Celia was in her early 30s, she lost her mother. She was invited to stay with family members and thus enjoyed the company of three Nudelman sisters of her mother’s generation in Manhattan, who treated her as if she was their own daughter.
A few years before retirement age, Celia developed glaucoma and lost all peripheral vision. She was unable to continue at her job and had to retire a few years early. After the last of the three Nudelman sisters had passed away, Celia’s distant cousin Stuart and his wife brought her to live in Maine near them.
Her life of retirement in Biddeford was well-supported by several agencies, and she especially enjoyed her day activities at the Truslow Center in Saco. Celia liked to exercise, do various craft activities, did knitting, drawing, and coloring and had fun with music, singing and especially dancing. She also loved bowling and playing and winning in Bingo.
Celia attended special holidays at the Biddeford synagogue Etz-Chaim and joined classes with the youngest children who she adored and who loved her just as much. Wherever she was she made friends who loved her cheerfulness and having fun.
In recent months Celia aged rapidly and by and by could no longer participate in all the activities she had enjoyed. She received loving care in her home by Woodfords Family Services personnel, and in the final weeks of her life also had additional support from VNA Home Health Hospice of South Portland. Her life ended in quiet peace.
Thanks for all the loving care Celia received from so many wonderful Woodfords Family caretakers, and for the support and knowledge of nurse Marla and her team from VNA Home Health Hospice. Special thanks to Dr. David Strassler, her primary physician as long as Celia lived here in Maine, who gave her not only physical but also spiritual loving care.
There will be no services. A private celebration of Celia’s life with longterm friends and family is planned.
Should friends choose, memorial donations in her name are encouraged to: Woodfords Family Services, 15 Saunders Way, #900, Westbrook, ME 04092.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit Celia’s Book of Memory page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 111 Chapel Road, P.O. Box 910, Wells, ME 04090.
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