Cecelia V. Pitrone

1919 - 2011

Cecelia V. (Jucha) Pitrone, age 91, of Chardon, died at her home Thursday, May 19, 2011.
She was born May 21, 1919, to Andrew and Lottie Jucha.
She was the dear sister of the late Henrietta Vasil; beloved wife of the late Frank Pitrone, whom she married Oct. 21, 1939; and mother of the late Michael.
She was the mother of nine children, Jim (Marilyn), Frances, Joe (Gerri), Andrea Redhead, Billy (Sarah), Tom (Kate), Danny (Barb), and Maria Monroe (Dennis); beloved grandmother of 25; great-grandmother of 20; great-great-grandmother of one; and sister of Sally Harvan.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Cecelia grew up in Valley View, and had lived in Cleveland and in Cleveland Heights.
She was a founding and life-long member of the Lakewood Lodge of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America. The family moved to Chardon in 1970 and for the next 19 years, Ceal ran Holiday Hideaway, a picnic/recreation park. At 54 years old, she received her driver's license and was 58 when she achieved the GED. Other people's children knew her as "Grandma Ceal" when she cared for them at the Geauga Racquetball Club, the New Covenant Fellowship nursery and when she cooked for the Methodist Church Day Care Center.
Ceal loved playing cards, especially when she won against her children and grandchildren. In addition, she had been a member of the Deck of 48 Pinochle Club since 1970. Primarily, Cecelia was devoted to her large family and expressed this by what she did for them more than by what she said. She crocheted or knitted lovely, treasured, afghans for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
She cooked big dinners every Sunday as a weekly tradition. Her spaghetti and meatballs brought her local fame since she loved to have her family bring their friends to meals. Everyone was welcome. The first time you came, you were a guest, but after that, you were family and had to help yourself. Cecelia's family and guests loved hearing her wonderful and colorful life stories that she shared with them after dinners. "We will miss her."
Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the Ritondaro Funeral Home, 126 South Street (Route 44, south of Route 6), Chardon.
A prayer service will take place at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral home and burial will follow the prayer service at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township.
The family suggests donations in her memory be made to the St. Francis Foundation, which was started by her late husband, Frank, and has been carried on by the Pitrone Family. Donations can be mailed to 6800 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124.