CELESTE MARIE BAMER

CELESTE MARIE BAMER (nee Harkai), age 68; A woman of many gifts and talents, Celeste Marie Bamer left this life behind on August 7 to go home to the Lord. A woman with many talents and interests, she would sneak away from the family to attend a Clay Aiken concert (or possibly six) but hurry back in time to help her grandchildren make colorful whimsical gingerbread houses, to crochet hats for cancer patients or prayer shawls for the dying. She was a crafter extraordinaire who never did anything by half measure - why make a dozen tutus when you can make ten dozen and why make only 30 headbands or gift bags when 300 just take a little more time? Celeste left behind her two daughters, Gwenn Bamer-Flynn (Suzanne) and Kim Russo (Andrew) and the loves of her life her Grandchildren, Elizabeth and Ethan Russo. She leaves behind her only sister Beverly (Paul) and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews that she loved. Celeste considered her most important job was to be a Mom, the keeper of secrets and the guardian against monsters for her daughters. Like most parents Celeste had a career outside the home as a school secretary for the Twinsburg School District. Celeste was always involved with her children's and grandchildren's activities so she found herself being a Girl Scout Leader for over 10 years spending many days camping, hiking and working on numerous badges for her troops. When her children wanted to get involved in theatre Celeste and friends established the County Line Playhouse in Twinsburg. Even as her children became adults Celeste continued to lend her capable hands with her sewing machine and creativity to help wherever her girls or grandchildren needed it. Celeste volunteered with making gift baskets for Hand-Me-Down-Dobes and sewing costumes for Big Creek Players and Midwest Cheer Elite Cleveland. In recent years, she spent many winters in Florida where she was active in the Prayer Shawl ministry at Miami Shores Presbyterian Church. One of Celeste's greatest skills was her organizational ability and one of her greatest characteristics was her inclusive nature. During her Claymate years when she attended more than 65 Clay Aiken concerts, Celeste organized numerous road trips, and her house was the base camp for dozens of women who became her life-long friends and who will always remember her hearty laugh, warm hospitality and great heart. She was also an active supporter of the National Inclusion Project, a charity focused on providing inclusive activities for children with disabilities. We will be celebrating Celeste's life at A. Ripepi & Sons Funeral home 18149 BAGLEY ROAD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS (WEST OF I-71), at the Family Gathering Center. We will gather to celebrate her life from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm on August 22, with the memorial service beginning at 3:00 pm. Since this is a celebration of Celeste's life, please bring your stories and memories and wear purple so that instead of mourning the loss, we celebrate the light that this good, talented and loving woman brought to so many lives. Celebration of Life August 22, 2015 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM A.RIPEPI & SONS FUNERAL HOME 18149 BAGLEY ROAD MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, OH (440) 260-8800