Obituary of Julia Lynette Celeski

JULIA L. CELESKI (SMITH) Julie Celeski passed away on Thursday, December 23, 2021, at St Vincent Hospital after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was born in Erie on June 12, 1941, the eighth of eleven children to the late Elmer C. and Freda Ziegler Smith. She was a 1959 graduate of Strong Vincent High School. She was employed with the Erie Co Board of Assistance as a case-worker until her retirement in 2001. She was a proud member of PSSU Local 668. She was also a professional caregiver, transportation specialist, counselor, and banker to any family member or friend that was in need. Julie was a member of the Sunflower Club and the La Nuova Aurora Society of Erie, PA. She was a member of Community United Church of Christ and had a very strong faith in God. She greeted everyone with a smile. She enjoyed reading, gameshows, playing bocce, bowling, Broadway shows, casinos and Las Vegas, family card games, family picnics, and “day trips” with her sisters. She loved nothing more than being the world’s best grandmother and spending time with her grandchildren. Besides her parents, Julie was preceded in death by her sisters; Milly Bretl, Ellen Schultz, Peggy Martin, Remle Smith, and Erma Rhodes. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Ronald W. Celeski, two sons; Ronald J. Celeski (Cara) and Robert Celeski (Stephanie) of Erie, six grandchildren: Ronnie, Alex, Carly, Robbie, Eric, and Evan Celeski, step-grandchildren; Connor and Pierce Murdock, her sisters; Ruth Schmidt, Lorre Rapp, and Kathy Koziol (Jerry), her brothers; John A. Smith and Elmer Smith (Pat), and one brother-in-law, Don Rhodes. Many nieces and nephews also survive. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 4216 Sterrettania Rd., TODAY, Tuesday December 28, 2021 from 3 to 7pm and are invited there on Wednesday at 10 am for a Funeral Service conducted by the Rev. Rich McCarty. A brief interment will take place at Laurel Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Emmaus Soup Kitchen, 218 E 11th St, Erie, PA 16503.