MARION LOUISE BERCELI

A Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Marion Louise Berceli, 96, St. Augustine, FL will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 4600 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 12:00 noon until the time of the mass in the memorial room of the church. A graveside service will be held on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery, 11411 NW 25th Street, Miami FL. Marion was born in Grantwood, NJ, January 21, 1913, the daughter of the late Irene and Frank Warbowsky. The family moved to Chicago in 1913, where in 1936 she married the love of her life, Joseph Berceli. They lived in Chicago for many years, and owned and operated a very popular and successful Hungarian restaurant and night club, The Blue Danube Café. While in Chicago, they also enjoyed yachting on Lake Michigan in "The Rojomar", their "Great Lakes" boat, named for members of their immediate family. In December, 1950, they packed up "Oscar" their open trailer, topped it off with a fresh Christmas Tree, and moved the entire family to Miami, where they shared the remainder of their 56 years of marriage until Joe passed away in July 1992. Among many other interests, they enjoyed extensive traveling throughout their marriage, including a tour of Europe in 1938 and many wonderful vacations from 1965-1988 via Eastern Airlines. While living in Miami, they were active members of the Hungarian Kossuth Civic Club, where Marion was also a member of the Kossuth Ladies Aid Club. In addition to being a devoted wife and loving mother, she was employed by Sears, Roebuck & Company, where she started part-time one Christmas to earn extra money, and ultimately retired in 1979 after 25 years of service. In 2005, she moved to an assisted living facility, Summerville, in St. Augustine, FL, following her son's and daughter's move from Miami to North Central Florida. Her toughness and resiliency were tested many times throughout her life, especially after losing her loving husband, Joe, just before Hurricane Andrew destroyed their townhouse. She came over to her daughter's house to "ride out the storm" on August 23, 1992 and remained there for 12 years sharing her life, love, experiences, and caring nature with her daughter and son-in-law as well as two grandchildren, who loved having grandma right down the hall while growing up. During that same time, her son, daughter-in-law and three other grandchildren lived just ten minutes away. What a blessing for us all to share her abundant love. Marion is survived by her son, Ronald Berceli (Charlotte) and her daughter, Joan Phillips (Lewis) all from Palm Coast, FL. She also had five grandchildren, Sharon Cox (Chad), Valencia, CA , Theresa Jimenez (Gabriel), Raleigh, NC, Stephen Berceli, Palm Coast, FL, Maryalice Ralston (David), Ocala, FL and William Phillips, DeLand, FL; and four great-grandchildren, Gavin, Logan, Avery and Trevor. Marion will be greatly missed by her family and all those who knew and loved her for the beautiful person she was. She has touched the hearts of so many, and will remain in spirit with them forever. The family suggests memorial contributions in memory of Marion be made to the Church of the Epiphany, 8081 SW 54th Court, Miami FL 33143. For online condolences go to: www.craigflaglerpalms.com "Online Obituaries". Arrangements are in the care and trust of Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home.