Celia Mae Finn

Celia Mae Finn, beloved mother, returned to the Lord on Tuesday evening, March 12, 2013, at her home, surrounded in love by her family after a long and brave battle with cancer.

Celia was an extraordinary woman. She was outgoing, full of life, brilliant and stunningly beautiful. Celia lived a long and very happy life.

She was a devoted wife of 58 years to her husband, William, and truly a super-mom who raised her five boys with boundless love and care. It takes a very special person to raise five boys and she did an amazing job.

Celia was born in the Heights section of Wilkes-Barre, and lived the last 40 years in Wilkes-Barre Township in the home she and William built.

Celia was extremely intelligent. Despite the challenge of losing both her parents by age 9, she excelled in school. She was so smart, her teachers asked her to skip an entire grade, jumping from seventh grade to ninth grade before going on to graduate from GAR in the class of 1954. She had the fastest mind around with an incredible wit. She always made her family and friends laugh and was a great competitor in any card or board game.

Celia worked at Bell Telephone when she was younger and, for several years, at Blue Cross after her children had grown before a long and fulfilling retirement.

Celia was the best mom anyone could have ever asked for. Celia even moved the entire family to follow dad's work, living in Vermont for several years and later in Puerto Rico.

Celia was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Wilkes-Barre for more than 30 years. She spent years studying the Bible and lived by its teaching. She taught Sunday School at First Assembly for many years. She was beloved by her students and always made her classes fun with games and prizes.

Celia loved to sing and dance. She loved her heritage polka music dearly - and even was able to get Stanky himself to play live in her family's home for Dad's 40th birthday.

Celia was lucky enough to travel the world. She took several cruises, visiting numerous islands in the Caribbean. She vacationed in Hawaii, London, Ireland and her absolute favorite, Paris.

It's no coincidence Celia was born on Valentine's Day. Her life was dedicated to bringing so much love to others. Mom, we miss you so much and wish you the eternal peace you so deserve, basking in God's love for you.

Celia is preceded in the afterlife by her mother and father, Stanley and Helen Sinavage; her brothers Chester, Leo, Teddy, Stanley and Frankie; and her sisters Susie, Mildred and Rose.

Celia will be deeply, sadly and forever missed by her husband, William; her five sons, Patrick, Thomas, William, Terrance and John, as well as each of their spouses, Stephanie, Susan, Pamela, Susan and Kristin, respectively; her 11 grandchildren, Corey, Kaitlyn, Sophia, Sienna, Kelly, Thomas, Caleb, Ryan, Matthew, Amber and William; two great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Elizabeth, the children of Kelly and her husband, Jonathan Steffy; her step-grandchildren, Johan, Zack, Zeb and Ian; her brother Eddie and her sister Lee.

Celia's family would like to thank everyone who loved her and shared so many kind thoughts and prayers during this time. A special thanks to Dr. Bruce Saidman, who helped Celia for so many years.

A wake for Celia will take place at the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 N. Meade St., Wilkes-Barre, on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the First Assembly of God Church in Wilkes-Barre at 11 a.m. Saturday.