CECELIA BRENNAN

Cecelia "Ceil" Brennan, nee Czlapinski, was born on April 12, 1918, to Stell and Frances Czlapinski. She would eventually have 14 sisters and brothers. Life on the family farm meant continuous work in the fields, in the barn and in the home. Ceil had to leave school in the sixth grade to work on the farm. Thus, she preached to her children to acquire as much education as possible. She left the farm in Wisconsin to find work in Chicago. She worked as a waitress, then a domestic; finally securing a position with Montgomery Wards. Ceil loved dancing and met her husband, John, at a ballroom. They married in 1942 when he received his draft notice for World War II. Ceil became a stay at home mom to raise her 3 children: Patricia (Richard) Spade, Michael (Emma Mallek) and Susan (James) Caithamer. She managed her home with precision-each day had assigned tasks. Delicious meals were made from scratch. She was known for her coffee cakes and éclairs. Ceil and John purchased a 3-flat where she became the maintenance woman/relator. She cut grass, shoveled snow, painted rooms and screened tenants. Like her dad, Ceil enjoyed flowers. Her garden was a colorful mix of all types. Ceil enjoyed playing cards and was very lucky. A devout Catholic, she was called home to Heaven on May 2, 2011 at the age of 93. Ceil will be truly missed by her children; two granddaughters, Kristina (Maurice) Scott and Amme Brennan, stepgrandson, Edward (Lorie) Mallek and her great-granddaughter-Ciera Scott. Funeral Monday 10:15 a.m. from Belmont Funeral Home, 7120 W. Belmont Ave., to St. Celestine Church, Mass 11 a.m. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation Sunday 2 to 8 p.m. Info: 773-286-2500 or www.belmontfuneralhome.com