Celeste McClaran

Parents Bill and Mary Pipas

Husband George Michael McClaran

Sister Charleen (husband John) Pape, Mundelein IL

Brothers Dell Pipas, Largo FL

Mark (wife Nancy) Pipas, Mundelein IL

Daughter Melissa McClaran, husband Steven Rice, grandson Henry McClaran, Shelton WA

Preceded in death by infant son, George Michael Jr., and parents Celeste grew up in Avon, Ohio, and started dating her husband Michael in high school where she was a track star. They married in 1970 and moved to Columbus, where Mike was attending OSU. They welcomed their daughter Melissa in 1972. She was a full-time mom, then worked for The Limited for a dozen years and was the receptionist in the headquarters office, a job she really liked.

Celeste was a large personality, always greeting friends and strangers with a big smile and making friends wherever she went. She loved to entertain with lavish dinner parties, making sure the décor, the arrangements, and the food were just right. She once had a dinner party with 32 guests and did it all (with some help from Michael). For many years she had an annual Valentine’s Day dinner with a different theme, and each guest had to participate. But even in small gatherings she wanted to ensure that her guests felt welcome. She loved to furnish her home with unique finds and artifacts that she collected from thrift and antique stores. She loved old bird cages, hand-carved bottle stoppers, porcelain figurines, decorating books, and miniature dogs. She loved the gardens and yard at her long-time home in Clintonville, but loved her condo because of the neighbors. She loved Al Pacino and Johnny Depp movies, challenged everyone to “Jeopardy,” and followed Christopher Hitchens debates on YouTube. She was passionate about treating animals humanely, and loved her dogs. She was justly proud of Melissa’s family, especially her grandson Henry, who was the light of her life.

One of her favorite things was a “Field Day.” We would take all three dogs for a ride into the country, stopping at farm fields and a park in Granville to let them run. Then we drove to Gambier for lunch at the deli, with the dogs too tired to complain. Another great day for her was a drive to Hamburger Inn in Delaware and a visit to the antique shop next door.

She discovered a lump on our fiftieth wedding anniversary and had it taken care of immediately. She was looking forward to a visit to the family in Washington three years later when the cancer metastasized. She died peacefully in the Hospice of Central Ohio at OSU Hospital on April 26.

A memorial service and reception will be held on Monday, May 19, at 4 pm at Schoedinger Northwest, 1740 Zollinger Road in Columbus. If you wish, you can honor her love of animals by making a donation to PetsmartCharities.org in lieu of flowers.