Celeste, or Chris as her family and friends called her, was born and raised on the West side of Chicago and was one of 10 children of the Spillone family parented by Francisco and Angelica Spillone. Her parents migrated to the United States in 1928 from the Bari region of Italy and she was the first of her siblings to be born in the United States.
She met Howard, the love of her life, 70 years ago while working at the Army base in Los Alamos, New Mexico for the Atomic Energy Commission and spent the last 68 years of her life married to him raising three children, Joe, Jim and Diane.
Celeste had a wonderful career at Timken Corporation working in Human Resources and had a passion for shorthand writing, which she also taught. She also had a passion for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom it was her greatest privilege to spoil with ice cream cones, compliments, kisses, and unsolicited 20 dollar bills.
Celeste enjoyed walks around her neighborhood, getting her hair done on Thursdays, cooking, Notre Dame football, spending time with her family, telling stories, listening to her humming birds on the patio, and a good cold beer.
Her family tree extends further than the 200 year old oak tree in her back yard she often admired. Celeste is survived by her children, Joe (Judy) Tobias, Jim Tobias and Diane (Tobias) Crowley; her grandchildren, Jamison Tobias, Michael (Nuvola) Tobias, Anthony (Kristen) Tobias, Roger Tobias, Kristina (Christian) Tobias Albers, Jonathan (Sarah) Crowley, David (Lauren) Crowley and Jacob (Claire) Crowley; her great grandchildren, Grace, Alexander, Cloyd and Oliver Tobias and Hayden, Austin, Bennett, Celia (future Ms. America), Kellen and Jack Crowley; her brother, Frank; and her sister, Marie.
There will be no services at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ashland County Humane Society.
Wappner Cremation Center is honored to serve the family.
