What a beautiful light, gone far too soon. Celeste was my neighbor and my first conscious memory of her was when she worked with a local youth organization for them to paint a mural along her fence. She invited me and my kids over and made it a fun time—like she did with just about everything and always with open arms. 

Even though she hardly knew us at the time, she brought my kiddos sugar skull decorating kits for Dia de los Muertos. She was always inviting us with the simple text “Fire Pit Friday.” I could count on her to check on the house if needed, or to be outside getting a kick out of the kids coming by in their Halloween costumes.

it was wonderful to see how happy she was too to have married James. She was just having a ball. It was really wonderful to see and know her, and it doesn’t seem real that she’s gone. I will miss her very much.

I met Celeste at Senator Zaffirini’s office. One could say that we met under duress. I’m shocked and saddened by her premature passing. Condolences to her family and colleagues.

What can we say about Celeste that has not already been said by all the wonderful memories that we have read online. She could liven up any gathering she attended and we here in St. Louis, MO, where she spent some time working for a local TV station, got to enjoy her company for those years. She became a regular at the downtown YMCA and that is where she joined our group of eclectic professionals. She joined us on many of our outings (float trips, trips to Padre Island & Chicago, Friday night after workout dinners, bachelor & bachelorette parties, weddings and baby showers to mention a few). For a time, she lived in our apartment building where we held some great super bowl parties and later, she even attended our wedding where she volunteered to be the hairdresser for the bride. She will always be remembered as a generous and fun-loving friend who left us too soon. Thanks, Celeste, for all the great memories.

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Celeste Iris Villarreal

October 10, 1960 – September 13, 2023

Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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