Cecelia Baiada Malloy's Obituary
Cecelia Baiada Malloy Oct 26, 1919 ~ Feb 22, 2021
Cecelia always said she was grateful to God for the life she was given. In Riverside, New Jersey she was born into the family of Caterina (Bua) and Giuseppe Baiada - who came to the U.S. from Carini, Sicily. Cecelia was baptized at St. Paul Church in South Philadelphia in the heart of the Italian neighborhoods. Her siblings were Josephine (Pannizzo), Rose (Hullings), and Laurence Baiada. For 58 years, Cecelia was happily married to her loving husband, John Joseph Malloy of Meshoppen, Pennsylvania (2004) with whom she raised six children and become Nonna to 14 Grandchildren and 13 Great Grandchildren.
In earlier years, Cecelia excelled in academics. She completed her education at Strayer Business College in Phila., PA. Her career path led her from a position at the Naval Intelligence Base in San Pedro, California, to employment at Kellex Corporation in New York City during the “Manhattan Project” years.
Some of Cecelia’s most cherished memories were of the many Malloy family summers on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. From early May’s cold ocean swims to the warm August sunsets, the years spent at the “Sand House” were filled with love and laugher.
In 1969 Cecelia and John discovered the beauty of the Florida west coast. They designed their home on San Carlos Island Bay and the family gatherings shifted south. During this time, Cecelia continued her lifelong love of learning by earning an Associates Degree at Edison College. An avid reader and Scrabble master, who would assist her opponents to keep them in the game, Cecelia loved languages and writing stories, poems and mystery plays for our family reunions.
Cecelia’s beauty remained lifelong as did her brilliance and her wisdom. In life, Cecelia wanted her children to ask themselves three questions that she answered before she chose her words: Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true?
Cecelia is survived by her children who will always remember coming home to the aroma of warm bread baking in the oven and Cecelia playing her favorite songs on the piano in the living room: Mary Ellen (Gary Van Sciver), Susan-Teresa, Donna Kay, Patrice (Mark Journey), Maureen, and Robert (Esther); her grandchildren: Gary, Mark, Cavan, Alexis, David, John, Russ, Luke, Miles, Matthew, Jenna, Fernando, Christina and Elena, and her great-grandchildren: Kyle, Carly, Mark, Kevin, Kelly, Julia, Scarlett, Lucas, Brady, Stella, Maisy Jo, Jack and Maren. Cecelia is also survived by her Baiada, Bua, Peterson, Pannizzo and Hulling’s nieces and nephews and their families. In addition to family, Cecelia was appreciative of the many loyal friends she met along the way, especially at the Church of the Resurrection where for many years she led the “Bereavement and Beyond” group.
In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN).
A Visitation for Cecelia will be conducted from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 25, 2021 inside the Chapel at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555. Please be advised that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, visitors to the funeral home are requested to follow appropriate social distancing guidelines, including the requirement that all guests submit to temperature screening and wear a mask while inside the building.
The following day, a Mass of Christian Burial for Cecielia will be celebrated by Monsignor Stephen McNamara at 11:00 AM, Friday, February 26, 2021, at Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord, 8121 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, Florida 33919, (239) 481-7171. For those unable to personally attend at Church for Cecelia's funeral, the family invites you to watch the service remotely through the internet by clicking the following link to join (link will be open 5 minutes prior to the ceremony beginning at 10:55 AM):-
https://viewneral.zoom.us/j/96842344926?pwd=VDc4MXJhWU5ac0NaSWY3Y2N2V01udz09
Viewneral ID: 968 4234 4926, Password: 485199
At the conclusion of Mass, family and friends will travel to Memorial Gardens Cemetery where Cecelia will be laid to rest with her predeceased husband John at the Veteran's Raised Lawn Section adjacent to the Iwo Jima Tribute Statue.
To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer condolences to the family at this difficult time please visit Cecelia's memorial webpage located at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign her guestbook.
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