Obituary for Dolores Cecere
Batavia / Morrisville
Dolores A. Cecere, age 88, passed to a new life early morning Oct. 31, 2020 at Crouse Community Center in Morrisville, NY. She was born Jan. 14,1932 in Batavia NY where she was raised by her parents, Norris and Arlie Seward. She attended and graduated from Batavia public schools. Dolores, or better known as “Dee”, was predeceased by her husband John J. Cecere with whom she raised four children. She is also predeceased by her brother James Seward and long time partner Gerald Crowley with whom she enjoyed being a “snowbird” in Largo, Fla. for many years. She was employed by the New York School for the Blind in Batavia, NY where she cared for the residents cooking their meals and extending her love to them. She traveled with a co-worker from there to Spain which was a trip of a lifetime for her. In Fla. she cared for both parents for many years until their passing. Dee also set up a small thrift shop in Fla. called “Dee’s Folly”, and also worked at a local preschool. Dolores will be remembered for her love for her family, spirited personality, quick-wittedness and generous heart. She was a dear friend to many and if there was a Hall of Fame for friendship she would surely be in it. She especially enjoyed her friendship with her Cayuga Lake neighbors, Betty and Bob with whom she and Jerry enjoyed many late afternoon “happy hours”, card playing, and boating. She loved the times she had with her grandchildren and was deeply loved by them. Dee also enjoyed cake decorating, crocheting, knitting, entertaining friends and family and cooking. Very much the life of the party, she was known for her outfits and matching earrings up to her final last two years. Being a formidable card player she also loved to play Rummikub with her children and grandchildren and usually kicked our butts. Dee loved to dance and was known to “kick up her heels” dancing up until her last two years as she struggled with dementia and mobility. She bravely navigated her last six years with loving support from her nearby daughters Pauline and Judy.
She will be sadly missed by her children, Pauline Cecere (Paul Silverstein) of Cazenovia NY, Judy Krisher-Bussone (John) of Dewitt, NY, John Cecere (Julie) of Woodstock, GA and Douglas Cecere of Leroy, NY; grandchildren Jesse Krisher (Lyndsay), Emma Krisher (Jaryd), Jillian Maldonado (Bart), and Justine Lemmo (Joseph); eight beautiful great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Dee is also survived by two dedicated loving brothers Douglas Seward (Yvonne) of Fla. and William (Cal) Seward (Kitty) of Texas. A special thanks to The Heritage for their care while “DeeDee” resided there. Also a very big thank you to the staff at Crouse Community Center for their excellent, loving, attentive care. Thanks to many caretakers who helped along the way. Plans for a Celebration of Life will be scheduled sometime in the Summer. Catholic burial and graveside service will be private. Memorial gifts can be made to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901 or online www.DementiaSociety.org/donate
Dolores A. Cecere, age 88, passed to a new life early morning Oct. 31, 2020 at Crouse Community Center in Morrisville, NY. She was born Jan. 14,1932 in Batavia NY where she was raised by her parents, Norris and Arlie Seward. She attended and graduated from Batavia public schools. Dolores, or better known as “Dee”, was predeceased by her husband John J. Cecere with whom she raised four children. She is also predeceased by her brother James Seward and long time partner Gerald Crowley with whom she enjoyed being a “snowbird” in Largo, Fla. for many years. She was employed by the New York School for the Blind in Batavia, NY where she cared for the residents cooking their meals and extending her love to them. She traveled with a co-worker from there to Spain which was a trip of a lifetime for her. In Fla. she cared for both parents for many years until their passing. Dee also set up a small thrift shop in Fla. called “Dee’s Folly”, and also worked at a local preschool. Dolores will be remembered for her love for her family, spirited personality, quick-wittedness and generous heart. She was a dear friend to many and if there was a Hall of Fame for friendship she would surely be in it. She especially enjoyed her friendship with her Cayuga Lake neighbors, Betty and Bob with whom she and Jerry enjoyed many late afternoon “happy hours”, card playing, and boating. She loved the times she had with her grandchildren and was deeply loved by them. Dee also enjoyed cake decorating, crocheting, knitting, entertaining friends and family and cooking. Very much the life of the party, she was known for her outfits and matching earrings up to her final last two years. Being a formidable card player she also loved to play Rummikub with her children and grandchildren and usually kicked our butts. Dee loved to dance and was known to “kick up her heels” dancing up until her last two years as she struggled with dementia and mobility. She bravely navigated her last six years with loving support from her nearby daughters Pauline and Judy.
She will be sadly missed by her children, Pauline Cecere (Paul Silverstein) of Cazenovia NY, Judy Krisher-Bussone (John) of Dewitt, NY, John Cecere (Julie) of Woodstock, GA and Douglas Cecere of Leroy, NY; grandchildren Jesse Krisher (Lyndsay), Emma Krisher (Jaryd), Jillian Maldonado (Bart), and Justine Lemmo (Joseph); eight beautiful great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Dee is also survived by two dedicated loving brothers Douglas Seward (Yvonne) of Fla. and William (Cal) Seward (Kitty) of Texas. A special thanks to The Heritage for their care while “DeeDee” resided there. Also a very big thank you to the staff at Crouse Community Center for their excellent, loving, attentive care. Thanks to many caretakers who helped along the way. Plans for a Celebration of Life will be scheduled sometime in the Summer. Catholic burial and graveside service will be private. Memorial gifts can be made to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901 or online www.DementiaSociety.org/donate