Cecelia Reilly Obituary

Name: Visitation for Cecelia Reilly
Start: 2022-02-12T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-02-12T21:00:00.000Z
Location: Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home

Cecelia Reilly, a resident of Great Kills for 55 years, passed away on Wednesday from heart failure. She was 85 years old. Cecelia was born Cecelia Rooney in Tubbercurry, County Sligo, Ireland, where she grew up. She emigrated to the United States in 1956, settling in the Norwood neighborhood of the Bronx with her family. Cecelia always maintained the movie Brooklyn told her story too. She first worked at B Altman and Co, moving to Schraffts, and American Cyanamid before settling into marriage and family with Jim Reilly in 1959. They met on a blind date at a New Years Eve dance at City Center in 1957. Their first home together was on Cedar Ave, in the St Nicholas of Tolentine parish in the Bronx. The kids started coming and they bought a home in Dongan Hills in 1962. They moved to their Great Kills home in 1966, where she resided until her death. She worked at Kidder Peabody for many years until the early 90s. Jim passed away in 1991. Cecelia was always a positive, youthful spirit who loved to travel and mix with people any way she could. She navigated life with love. She was very active in her Parish of St Clare's, the Staten Island Garden Club, and the Iselin Ceili group, where she passionately pursued Irish Set Dancing. Her presence was a constant for many people. Her love sustained much for many. She had an endless curiosity about people and sought them out to find the connections we each have to each other. She always found them. She had a huge appetite for conversation and maintained full relationships with many people. In short windows of available time between her recent hospital stays, when she was facing the end of her life, she'd frequently be found writing Christmas cards at 4 AM. Cecelia is survived by her 5 children, Tom (Jennifer), James, Ann Scarangello (Tom), Celia Mauro (Tom), Patrick (Nancy), 13 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, her sister Maura, and her brothers Tom and Seamus. Visitation for Cecelia will be held Saturday, February 12, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home, 30 Nelson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10308. A visitation will occur Sunday, February 13, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM ONLY, 30 Nelson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10308. A funeral service will occur Monday, February 14, 2022 from 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM at St. Clare Church, 110 Nelson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10308. The service will be livestreamed at: https://youtu.be/Pb1BiXrXh2g . A committal service will occur Monday, February 14, 2022 from 11:15 PM to 11:30 PM at Resurrection Cemetery, 361 Sharrott Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10309. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to The Acosta Irish Arts Foundation. Cecelia's involvement in the Irish music and dance community brought her great joy throughout life. She enjoyed ceili dancing, traditional Irish music, attending festivals, and sharing all of it with her friends and family. She proudly passed on her love of Irish arts to her children and grandchildren, and in her memory, with the help of your donations, it will continue to be passed on to others. All donations will be utilized to support children who wish to study Irish arts. Donations will be accepted by: The Acosta Irish Arts Foundation. Please mail to: The Acosta Irish Arts Foundation, C/O Catherine Acosta, 103-00 Shore Front Parkway 9L, Rockaway Park, NY 11694. Electronic donations will be accepted by: (please include: In honor of Cecelia Reilly in notes when sending electronic donations) https://www.paypal.me/AnnmarieAcostaW or https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2491174690488320915&created=1644497087.725762&printed=1

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Published by Staten Island Advance from Feb. 11 to Feb. 12, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Cecelia Reilly

Sponsored by Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home.

11 Entries

Deborah Mooney

February 17, 2022

Dear Tom and Reilly siblings and family members my deepest sympathy on the loss of your wonderful Irish mother.The longer you have them the longer you want them.So very sorry for your loss. God Bless.

Ned Kane

February 17, 2022

To the Reilly family.
The Kane family express our deep condolences on learning of the passing of your mother. I always enjoyed her stopping to visit my mother (Gert Kane 103) on her walks, catching up on the Great Kills gossip. Talking about growing up on Cloverdale where every day, all day, was a play date out on the street with a dozen kids. She will be remembered as a wonderful mother, friend and 55 year neighbor. R.I.P.

Margaret Shannon

February 15, 2022

To the Reilly family, So sorry to hear of the passing of your amazing Mom Cecilia. Hope she is now dancing with your late Dad Jim in heaven. RIP.

Susan & Brendan Kane

February 14, 2022

So sorry to hear about your moms passing. She was a beautiful fixture in the Greatkills community raising a truly amazing family. Her amazing story lives on in all her children and grandchildren which are her greatest joys. Keep her stories alive and her music and don´t forget to dance. She will Rest In Peace and will keep watch over you all. God Bless. Sincerely , Susan & Brendan Kane.

Cecilia Stanton

February 14, 2022

I will always remember you!

Eleanor Briordy

February 13, 2022

So sorry to hear about Cecelia´s passing. She was a very sweet and compassionate woman. She will be missed.

Dan & Mary Brouder

February 12, 2022

We are saddened by your mother's death. Ceil will be in our memory as forever young, happy, and full of love for her family, who regaled all with Irish witticisms and stories of Silgo and Cavan
"Ar Dheis De go raibh a hanam"
May she always be at the right hand of God

Dan & Mary Brouder : Naples FL

Heartfelt Condolences Arrangement- BASKET INCLUDED

Barney,Holly And Families

Sent Flowers

Kelly Hathaway Chatman

February 12, 2022

So sorry to hear of Cecelia's passing. I have fond memories of our families getting together when we were young. My dad thought the world of Jim and Cecelia and all of you. So sorry for your loss.

Eileen Callahan Gutch

February 11, 2022

Cloverdale Avenue was the kind of block I wanted for my children. A place of endless fun with so many kids and so much to do. The Reillys, Hughes, Halpins and Bosserts all on go carts, playing tag and kickball. Our parents were to thank for making it what it was, and Mrs. Reilly was one of the best.
She was a happy, cheerful person, who always had time to talk. Even more recently, when I was lucky enough to run into her on the ferry, we caught up on the news of our families and she caught me up on the news of the block.
I miss the Cloverdale days, and I will miss Mrs. Reilly. The Reilly children were very lucky.

Love from Eileen Callahan Gutch

James Michl

February 11, 2022

Every memory I have with Cecelia are good memories. Her many trips to San Jose were warm and full of love, laughter and good feelings. I remember one of her visits to San Jose she asked me to go to mass with her. How could I refuse. I haven´t been to church in years but the experience of going with Cecelia was beautiful. At the part of the service when you turn to the person next to you and give them a hug saying "God be with you" the hug from Cecelia was so full of love it brought tears to my eyes. I´m sorry but it is bringing again but tears of appreciation for having been blessed as Cecelia´s friend.

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