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Bernice Cetti Obituary

Bernice Vonceil Cetti

May 31, 1915 -

July 30, 2013

Bernice Vonceil Cetti, of Pensacola, Florida, was born to Esther Lois Lee and Benjamin Hill Lee on May 31, 1915, in Gateswood, Alabama, and grew up in Lillian, Alabama. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 69 years, Charles Joseph Cetti, and is survived by their three children; Charles L Cetti (Melissa), Pensacola; William E. Cetti, Cartersville, Georgia; ad Charlotte Jane (Cetti) Radlinski (Gregory), Jacksonville, Florida. Also, she is survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her three younger sisters pre-deceased her.

Upon leaving home and moving to Pensacola at age 17, she enrolled herself into 20th Century Business College on W. Garden Street, where she acquired skills in bookkeeping and Gregg shorthand. Thereafter, she became employed in Pensacola as the bookkeeper for N. Goldring Corporation. Also, during the evenings after work, she typed the menus for the San Carlos Hotel Restaurant. With the income from these endeavors, she was able to build her own home before she was 21 years old. She and Charles Joseph Cetti were married on December 22, 1936. Shortly after their first child was born in 1941, Mr. Cetti was drafted into the United States Navy, for service during WWII. During his absence, Mrs. Cetti operated the couples' three-story "rooming house" on East Strong Street, renting rooms to numerous tenants. After her husband returned from his military service, the family sold this home and purchased one on 12th Avenue, where Mrs. Cetti opened an antique shop named, "The Big Wheel Antique Shop" (so-named because the shop's sign was attached to a six-foot wagon wheel that was displayed in front of the shop). In order to acquire merchandise for the shop, the entire family periodically traveled as far North as Pennsylvania, purchasing antiques from both individuals and businesses, and bringing them back to Pensacola in a trailer. When they built the family home at 2401 N. Escambia Avenue, in 1951, Mrs. Cetti closed the antique shop and used its remaining contents to complete the furnishings of the home. A few years later, Mrs. Cetti became a real estate salesman and, ultimately, a real estate broker. She and Roylston Cabaniss became co-owners of Cabaniss Realty, and she kept the name when Mr. Cabaniss passed on. She enjoyed a highly-productive real estate career for over 40 years.

Mrs. Cetti was a wonderful cook and a highly-skilled seamstress, making clothes for herself (including her "business" dresses and suits) as well as clothes for her children in their early years. In addition to helping raise three children and having successful career adventures, Mrs. Cetti was an avid farmer and gardener. In 1953, she and Mr. Cetti purchased a four-acre plot on Scenic Highway, where she planted a pecan grove and grew many varieties of vegetables and flowers. At the family's home on Escambia Avenue, she planted and tended a large grape arbor, as well as a large vegetable garden and lots of flowers. Throughout her 80's and into her early 90's, she continued to garden and tend to her flowers at subsequent residences.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate the life of this wonderful lady on Saturday, August 10, 2013, at Waters and Hibbert Funeral Home. Visitation and services will begin at 11:00 a.m. o'clock, with burial thereafter in the family plot at Bayview Memorial Park, Scenic Highway.

To send condolences please visit www.watersandhibbert.com. WATERS & HIBBERT FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements.

Express your condolences in our guestbook at pnj.com/obits

Published by the Pensacola News Journal from Aug. 7 to Aug. 9, 2013.
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To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Bernice Cetti

Not sure what to say?





I still miss you something fierce, Grandma, and treasure all the years we had together. Thank you for continuing to peek in on me from time to time. It´s so comforting to feel your presence-whether I´m scratching about in the garden, breathing in the aromas of a well-cooked meal, or admiring the patina on one of the lovely antiques you left behind. Though we no longer have the pleasure of your physical presence, your memory is an imperishable treasure. I love and miss you more than you could ever know.

Anne Youngblood

Family

July 30, 2022

We bought a house in Birmingham in 1974 through an estate agent, from the Cetti family. We have an id tag of Mr A P Cetti, presumably from the first world war and would pass it on to the family were we able to locate them. It is now 100 years old.

Nigel Bartlett

December 29, 2017

Charles, I am thinking of you and your family at this time. Bill Kreitlein

Bill Kreitlein

August 12, 2013

Charlie and Melissa, I am so very sorry for your loss. What an amazing life to celebrate.

Nancy Martin

August 11, 2013

To Charles, Bill & Jane,

Our deepest sympathies to you. We would have loved to be with you today. You were very fortunate to have your Mother for such a long time.

Betty (Brewer) & Brad Roberts
Pensacola

August 10, 2013

Dear Charles, Billy and Jane. Please accept my condolences at the loss of your Mother. I am sorry that I cannot be there but please know that I have your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Martino Faggioni

August 9, 2013

I am deeply sorry for tne loss of your
Mother

Jim Matson

August 8, 2013

Charles, Bill and Jane:

I'll always remember your Mom's honey balls. Best confection I ever tasted. She always seemed to have a treat for us kids. I'll miss her.

Lewis Thatcher

August 8, 2013

Dear Charles & family, We are very sorry to hear of your loss. Mrs. Cetti was a wonderful lady. We enjoyed reading the comments written by her granddaughter Anne. We will keep you in our thoughts & prayers.

Mike & Terry Thompson

August 8, 2013

Bill I am so sorry to hear of your mother's death. Mothers are impossible to replace and impossible to forget.

Victor Olsen

August 8, 2013

Dear Jane,

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Skip Joseph

August 8, 2013

To the Family,
My sincere condolences and prayers to each of you. I was a long term tenant of Mr. & Mrs. Cetti. I've often thought of her and wondered how she was doing. They were the absolute best landlords a tenant could ever have! I believe they were one of a kind and there will never be another. They took extra care of their properties and made sure everthing functioned properly. She and Mr. Cetti was like two peas in a pod. What a kind and beautiful woman Mrs. Berniece Cetti was, a jewel indeed! She was truly a family woman and would often speak about her family when ever I was in her presence. I remember her telling me how her daughter, a nurse retired to be with her grandchild. Your family have so much to be proud of. Reading the guest book, I think her grandaughter, Anne Youngblood said it best! She's now resting in peace with our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ!
Be blessed and encouraged as you hold on to every precious memory engraved upon your hearts!

Vicki Tucker

August 7, 2013

To the Family,
My sincere condolences and prayers to each of you. I was a long term tenant of Mr. & Mrs. Cetti. I've often thought of her and wondered how she was doing. They were the absolute best landlords a tenant could ever have! I believe they were one of a kind and there will never be another. They took extra care of their properties and made sure everthing functioned properly. She and Mr. Cetti was like two peas in a pod. What a kind and beautiful woman Mrs. Berniece Cetti was, a jewel indeed! She was truly a family woman and would often speak about her family when ever I was in her presence. I remember her telling me how her daughter, a nurse retired to be with her grandchild. Your family have so much to be proud of. Reading the guest book, I think her grandaughter, Anne Youngblood said it best! She's now resting in peace with our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ!
Be blessed and encouraged as you hold on to every precious memory engraved upon your hearts!

Vicki Tucker

August 7, 2013

Charles and Family: I know how much you mother meant to you, and how you cared for her, she's a Princess of a Lady and I know she will be missed by all that know her. Our prayers are with you.
Joe Lalas family

August 7, 2013

Norman Rockwell couldn't have painted a picture more beautiful and endearing than the one my Grandma painted with her life. I loved her best for her homespun wisdom, gleaned largely from a strong, lifelong bond with Mother Earth--a bond whose roots trace to her very earliest years, growing up on a south Alabama family farm.

As a young woman, filled with self-discipline and determination, Grandma distinguished herself as an extremely gifted entrepreneur, whose successes included work in antiques and real estate, among other areas.

She will also be fondly remembered for her deep love of family, which was frequently expressed through her masterful cooking. Every visit to Grandma's house began with her cheerful query, "Are you hungry, Shuggy? What can I fix for you?"

The mere length of her life--98 years--demonstrates what "good, clean living" will do. While her name may not be recorded on a national monument, and there may not be any best-selling books written about her, her legacy is secure. It is written with love on the hearts of everyone who really knew her. Rest in peace, Grandma. We miss you already.

Anne Youngblood

August 6, 2013

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