Cecelia Mary (Clauss) Sacca died peacefully at her residence in Wellesley, MA, surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, December 1st , 2015. She was 96 years old. Cecelia was born September 28, 1919 in Riverside, New Jersey, to the late Harry E. and Barbara (Weaver) Clauss. She is predeceased by her three brothers: Harry, Raymond and Joseph Clauss and her two sisters: Mary (Clauss) Eppolite and Barbara Clauss. She is survived by her three children: John and (Peg) Sacca of Delran, N.J., Sr. Cecelia Sacca of Wellesley, MA, and Mary Beth and (Roy) Sanford of Sudbury, MA.
Cecelia attended St. Peter’s School, and in 1934, as an eighth-grader was chosen by her teachers and classmates as the “May Queen” to do the Annual Crowning of the Blessed Mother at St. Peter’s. From St. Peter’s, Cecelia attended Riverside High School, where she graduated in 1938. Cecelia was voted “Prom Queen” by her classmates in her senior year. While at Riverside H.S., Cecelia met the “Love of Her Life” and future husband, Anthony F. Sacca of Palmyra; whom she married on June 1, 1940 following a courtship of three years. They shared 42 married years together before his untimely death of a heart attack in 1982 at the age of 67. Cecelia chose to stay widowed the rest of her life, as she “could never find another Anthony.”
Cecelia loved her family first and foremost, and took great pride in her children, as she told everyone … “They all ended up as school teachers”. John (the eldest) spent his entire lifetime teaching career as a History/Social Studies teacher and baseball & basketball coach in the Palmyra Public Schools. Though retired, John still continues to tutor in the Palmyra Schools. Sr. Cecelia recently celebrated fifty years as a Sister of Charity, in the capacity of teacher, Pastoral Administrator & Community Leadership for her religious Order; while also spending years doing missionary work in Latin America. Mary Beth began teaching History in Philadelphia and then at Holy Cross H.S. in Delran, before marrying and moving to Boston. Cecelia was equally proud of the academic accomplishments of her grandchildren: Tricia Sacca-Fabbri, Tony Sacca, John Sacca, Ralph Sacca, Christopher Sanford, Ryan Sanford and Meghan Sanford. She also kept up with all of their high school, college and professional careers in football, basketball & baseball. Cecelia is also survived by her eight great grandchildren.
Cecelia’s “Home Life” was paramount to her. She was a wonderful cook, (many still remember her homemade pies), seamstress and quilter – her quilts garnered 1st place in New Jersey Women’s Club competitions. Cecelia was an active participant of Sacred Heart Parish for over 60 years, a member of the Sacred Heart PTA and Women’s Committees, the Sacred Heart “Willing & Able Group”, as well as, the Tri-Boro Women’s Club, the Riverton Porch Club and the Catholic Daughters of America. And for several years, she enjoyed participating in Betty Horan’s “Senior Line-Dancing” Group.
After leaving her home on Garfield Avenue (where she lived all of her married life), Cecelia became a resident of Moorestown Estates for 12 years. In 2005, Cecelia was chosen “Ms. Moorestown Estates” and crowned by the reigning Miss New Jersey. She moved to Wellesley, MA in January, 2015 to Elizabeth Seton Residence, to be closer to her two daughters. Her daughter, Sr. Cecelia, is in charge of the retired Sisters there.
Cecelia always said there wasn’t anything she would change about her life: “I came from a good family (Clauss), I loved my parents, brothers and sisters; I had a wonderful marriage to Anthony, I love my children, grandchildren and my friends & neighbors”…and that life spanned 96 years…That is a Life Truly “Well Lived”.
Donations may be made to the Sisters of Charity in Cecelia’s memory: Sisters of Charity, c/o Sister Cecelia Sacca, 125 Oakland Street, Wellesley, MA 02481-5338.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family Friday December 4th 7pm-9pm at Weber Funeral Home 112 Broad Street Riverton, NJ 08077. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday 10am at Sacred Heart Church, 4th Street and Linden Ave. Riverton NJ. Interment at St. Peter’s Cemetery Riverside NJ.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.weberfuneralhomeinc.com
Local funeral arrangements handled by Brady & Fallon Funeral Home.