Plan for the Future
*Click HERE to livestream the Mass of Christian Burial on October 22nd at 10am*
Carmela S. Cecere, 92 of Chatham, New Jersey passed away on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ.
Carmela was born on July 27, 1929 in Newark, NJ. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Anthony and Rose (nee Greco) Sponzilli. She married Rudolph A. Cecere and resided in West Orange where they raise their family.
Carmela received her bachelor’s degree in Music Education from NYU. She worked as a music teacher in public schools for a short period of time before starting Carmela Cecere Studio for Piano Studies out of her home for 75 years.
She was very active in the Livingston Symphony Orchestra and past president. She was a competitive judge within the Music Educators Association and Music Educators Council.
In her spare time, she loved to cook and spend time down the shore admiring the ocean.
Parishioner of St Patrick’s for 44 years where she was a member of the choir for 37 years.
She is survived by her son, Anthony and wife Mary and was the loving grandma of Ryan Cecere and Ashley Beachem (Bryan) and great grandma of Camden and Carter Beachem. Also, her Brother Ernest Sponzilli (Marci). In addition, she was the cherished aunt of Jacob Cecere, Antoinette Cecere, Michael Strollo, Phillip Strollo,Anita Strollo,Louis D’Antonio, David D’Antonio,Jackie D’Antonio, Ginny D’Antonio, Phyllis Ann D’Notaris Tony Sponzilli, Ernest Sponzilli and Gina Swett.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 3:00-7:00 pm at Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main Street, Chatham, NJ 07928. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 am on Friday, October 22, 2021 at St. Patrick Church, 85 Washington Avenue, Chatham, NJ 07928. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations will be made to Carmela Cecere Music Scholarship Fund, 255 Lafayette Ave, Chatham Township, NJ 07928 or Livingston Symphony Orchestra, PO BOX 253, Livingston NJ 07039-0253.
