Mary Celeste

Mary (Maria) Di Bartolomeo Celeste passed away quietly in her sleep on November 7th, 2018, following a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Mary was born November 6th, 1934, in North Bergen New Jersey, the youngest child of Michelangelo and Maria Di Bartolomeo.

Mary was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. As the youngest, she was pampered and loved by her parents and siblings. This special love set the stage for Mary to be the extraordinary woman she became.

Mary married the love of her life, Anthony Celeste in 1954. They were blessed with 64 years of life and love together and raised four children, Anthony, Carol, Edward and Catherine. Their legacy of love grew with the addition of six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

A devoted servant of God, Mary volunteered countless hours to the church, PTA and schools where her children were students. After her family was grown, she returned to a life of service becoming a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Legion of Mary. Mary found her time with the Legion of Mary greatly rewarding as she visited the home bound, residents of Marion Manor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and others in need of the faith and prayer.

Mary had a great sense of adventure. She enjoyed traveling around the country and even to Europe. She had a knack for enjoying the present. Wherever she went, with whomever she was with, she enjoyed the moment and the experience with great joy.

Mary lived and loved her family, reveling in all their successes and comforting them through all their disappointments. She deeply loved her extended family of brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, often hosting family gatherings for dozens of family members, serving her signature Italian cuisine, which was always a crowd pleasure.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Michelangelo and Maria DiBartolomeo, her seven siblings, Pasquale DiBartolomeo, Carmine DiBartoIomeo, Raphael DiBartolomeo, Dominic DiBartolomeo, Angelina (DiBartolomeo) Scerbo, Giovannina (Di Bartolomeo) Swatek, and Rosina (DiBartolomeo) Zeman and niece, Frances Scerbo.

She is survived by the love of her life, Anthony Celeste. Her son, Anthony Celeste, his wife Kamelia and their children, Anthony and Adelina. Her daughter, Carol (Celeste) Berry, her husband Michael and their children, Michael Berry, his wife, Stacey and their sons, Victor, Julian and Troy; Christopher Berry and Desirae (Berry) Querrard, her husband, Shawn and their four children, Jacob, Emmalyn, Coralie and Charlotte. Her son Edward Celeste, and daughter, Catherine (Celeste) Waters and her husband William and their son Andrew, as well as dozens of nieces, nephews and friends left to cherish her memory.

The family especially wants to thank the staff of Our Lady of Perpetual Help for their care, love and encouragement for Mary over the past 18 months.

Family and friends are invited to visitation on November 15th 6:00-8:00 pm, Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 N. Witchduck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA.

A celebration Of Mary’s life and legacy will be held on the 16th of November, St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Virginia Beach, VA. Church visitation at 10:00 with the Mass at 11:00. Internment immediately following at Rosewood Cemetery, Virginia Beach, VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.