As a child Cece lived with her parents and 12 older siblings above the family grocery store in Avondale. She attended Woodlawn High School. In the 1960s and 70s, she worked at her brother-in-law’s record shop, Joe Rumore’s Record Rack. Later, Cece and her husband, Frank Vincent Brocato, Jr., owned and operated legendary Birmingham restaurant, GG in the Park for more than 25 years.
Cece enjoyed playing cards and Scrabble, reading the funny papers, and spending time with her family and friends. She loved music and always sang along to oldies hits. She was an active member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and the Our Lady of Peace altar guild. She served countless people with her hospitality. Her pool was a gathering place for her beloved neighbors, and she regularly hosted a dozen or more family members for Sunday lunch of spaghetti and meatballs. She will be missed and fondly remembered by many who knew and loved her.
Cece is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and siblings Sarah Head, Theresa Rumore, John LaSusa, Marion LaSusa, Josephine Caruso, Anne Madonia, Marie LaSusa, Angie Rumore, Lillian LaSusa, Phillip LaSusa, Jr., Catherine “Kitty” LaSusa, and Paul LaSusa. She is survived by her daughter Mary Esther Carpenter (Pat), granddaughters Emily Mathis Rein (Stuart), Frances Mathis Cowart (Jay), Jane Anne Mathis Sanford (Kyle), seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. and funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 4 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. The family wishes to express deepest gratitude to the staff at Fair Haven building L and KJ’s Elderly Care for their years of kindness and loving care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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