Celebrating the life of
Sister Cecelia DiDonato
November 06, 1949 - October 06, 2008
Sister Cecelia Rose DiDonato
SAVANNAH – Sister Cecelia Rose DiDonato, age 58, died Monday, October 6, 2008, at Memorial Health University Medical Center.
Born November 6, 1949, she was the daughter of Winnifred and the late Frank DiDonato.
Sister Cecelia grew up in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she attended Saint Callistus Elementary School and West Catholic High School for Girls. Following her graduation in 1967 she entered the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Immaculata, PA.
Sister taught in numerous schools in the dioceses of Allentown, PA, Arlington, VA, Trenton, NJ, San Jose, CA, Richmond, VA, and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia before assuming the position of Principal of St. Joseph's Elementary School in Reading, PA. Sister Cecelia has served as principal of St. James School in Savannah since 2001.
Her greatest joy was ministering to children and their families sacramentally and educationally. Her good humor won the hearts of many and she will be sadly missed by all whose lives she touched.
In addition to her mother, Winnifred DiDonato, Sister Cecelia is survived by five brothers, Frank, Jr. Manion, Thomas Alba, Billy Anna Marie, Matthew Jessica, and Richard DiDonato; four sisters, Winnie, Lorraine Griffits Edward, Donna Russo Michael, and Stephanie Lavin Mark; many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and a great-grand-niece. Sister Cecelia was predeceased by her father, Frank DiDonato and a niece, Rosa DiDonato Maguire.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday at St. James Catholic Church.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. at St. James Catholic Church by The Rev. Mark Ross.
Following the Mass there will be a reception in the St. James Parish Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 13, 2008, in Immaculata, PA.
Our family has lost a dear and faithful friend. While Sr.Cecelia's sudden passing shocks and deeply saddens our family, she will forever be in our hearts and the hearts of the many families she touched while principal of St. James Catholic School. Her warm, sincere smile and quick wit will be remembered forever. Her love for children and others was abounding. She was loyal, holy and devoted to God, Mary, her IHM Sisters and her St. James families. May she rest in Peace in her heavenly home. Our special angel will watch over and pray for us for years and years to come. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 With Love and Prayers, The Buttimer Family Tony, Beth, Jonathan and Elizabeth
- Beth, Savannah, GA
The Mahoney family of grandparents,parents,former and present students at St.James express our sincere sympathy to the DiDonato family.Sister was a true joy and inspiration.She is now home with her beloved God for all eternity.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, GA
Sister Cecelia will be terribly missed. She was an example of dedication to the Lord and to the children of SJS school. Her faith and humility showed through all her actions. Yes, she touched so many of our hearts with her wounderful smile and good sense of humor. She is truly missed! The Witt family
- John , Monica, Wes and cc, Savannah, GA
Our friendship developed into one of the best I've ever had. Thank you for being an inspriation and Christian example to follow. You are greatly loved and missed by all of us at St. James Catholic School.
- Robert Wright, Savannah, GA
Bless her, her family, religious associates, community, and all she touched. We lost a teacher to our boys, a teacher colleague, a wonderful correspondent, a guest of honor to Cape Cod, and such a best and loyal buddy of so many years.......
- Kevin & Linda Burke, Buzzards Bay, MA
I am very saddened that we will not have Sister CeCelia in our daily lives, but I know she takes her place now in heaven. We are all better people knowing Sister CeCelia these past years, she was gracious to all who knew her here, and she now will be graced for eternity. June, I and our Family will pray for Sister's Family, Friends, Teachers and Students, that they will have peace of heart during this time. Goodbye Sister.
- David Methe, Savannah, GA
To the DiDonato family, friends, and to our beloved Sister Cecelia, Your laughter, kindness and wonderful attitude made St. James School what it is today. We are all proud to be associated with such a warm and caring environment, which is what you created. The love that you shared with the students, faculty and parents made all of us feel that we were a part of something special. We will try to live by your example, follow your lead and be thankful for every gift that God has given us. I know that when the gates of heaven opened, your earthly father and your heavenly father were there to greet you with open arms, and all the angels and saints said to you 'Well done Sister, you are God's best creation!' For those of us you have left behind, we will always keep a place in our hearts for you. Watch over us and guide us everyday. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
- Rick, Cindi and Ryan Vogel, Savannah, GA
We would like to extend our sympathy and prayers for Sister Cecelia and family. We will miss her on Grandparents Day, she was such a joy. We are the grandparents of Kayla Taueg and Grace Davis.
- Tom & Terri Ellis, Indianapolis, IN
WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING A PART OF OUR AND OUR CHILDRENS LIVES.YOU HAD THE LOVE AND ATTENTION OF THE CHILDREN ALWAYS,DEALING WITH THEM IN YOUR SPECIAL WAYS.THE SCHOOL AND CHURCH ALREADY MISS YOU GREATLY.GOD SPEED AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN
- DWAYNE AND SIRIWAN SIMPSON, SAVANNAH, GA
Our family has lost a dear and faithful friend. While Sr.Cecelia's sudden passing shocks and deeply saddens our family, she will forever be in our hearts and the hearts of the many families she touched while principal of St. James Catholic School. Her warm, sincere smile and quick wit will be remembered forever. Her love for children and others was abounding. She was loyal, holy and devoted to God, Mary, her IHM Sisters and her St. James families. May she rest in Peace in her heavenly home. Our special angel will watch over and pray for us for years and years to come. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 With Love and Prayers, The Buttimer Family Tony, Beth, Jonathan and Elizabeth
- Beth, Savannah, GA
The Mahoney family of grandparents,parents,former and present students at St.James express our sincere sympathy to the DiDonato family.Sister was a true joy and inspiration.She is now home with her beloved God for all eternity.
- Tom and Judy Mahoney, Savannah, GA
Sister Cecelia will be terribly missed. She was an example of dedication to the Lord and to the children of SJS school. Her faith and humility showed through all her actions. Yes, she touched so many of our hearts with her wounderful smile and good sense of humor. She is truly missed! The Witt family
- John , Monica, Wes and cc, Savannah, GA
Our friendship developed into one of the best I've ever had. Thank you for being an inspriation and Christian example to follow. You are greatly loved and missed by all of us at St. James Catholic School.
- Robert Wright, Savannah, GA
Bless her, her family, religious associates, community, and all she touched. We lost a teacher to our boys, a teacher colleague, a wonderful correspondent, a guest of honor to Cape Cod, and such a best and loyal buddy of so many years.......
- Kevin & Linda Burke, Buzzards Bay, MA
I am very saddened that we will not have Sister CeCelia in our daily lives, but I know she takes her place now in heaven. We are all better people knowing Sister CeCelia these past years, she was gracious to all who knew her here, and she now will be graced for eternity. June, I and our Family will pray for Sister's Family, Friends, Teachers and Students, that they will have peace of heart during this time. Goodbye Sister.
- David Methe, Savannah, GA
To the DiDonato family, friends, and to our beloved Sister Cecelia, Your laughter, kindness and wonderful attitude made St. James School what it is today. We are all proud to be associated with such a warm and caring environment, which is what you created. The love that you shared with the students, faculty and parents made all of us feel that we were a part of something special. We will try to live by your example, follow your lead and be thankful for every gift that God has given us. I know that when the gates of heaven opened, your earthly father and your heavenly father were there to greet you with open arms, and all the angels and saints said to you 'Well done Sister, you are God's best creation!' For those of us you have left behind, we will always keep a place in our hearts for you. Watch over us and guide us everyday. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
- Rick, Cindi and Ryan Vogel, Savannah, GA
We would like to extend our sympathy and prayers for Sister Cecelia and family. We will miss her on Grandparents Day, she was such a joy. We are the grandparents of Kayla Taueg and Grace Davis.
- Tom & Terri Ellis, Indianapolis, IN
WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING A PART OF OUR AND OUR CHILDRENS LIVES.YOU HAD THE LOVE AND ATTENTION OF THE CHILDREN ALWAYS,DEALING WITH THEM IN YOUR SPECIAL WAYS.THE SCHOOL AND CHURCH ALREADY MISS YOU GREATLY.GOD SPEED AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN
- DWAYNE AND SIRIWAN SIMPSON, SAVANNAH, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
