Carmela S. Cecere

Carmela S. Cecere, 92, of Chatham, New Jersey, passed away on Thursday, October 14, at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston.

Mrs. Cecere was born on July 27, 1929 in Newark, the daughter of the late Anthony and Rose (née Greco) Sponzilli. She married Rudolph A. Cecere and resided in West Orange where they raised their family.

Mrs. Cecere received a 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, which she ran for many decades.

She was very active in the Livingston Symphony Orchestra and served as a past president. She was a competitive judge with the Music Educators Association and the Music Educators Council.

In her spare time, she loved to cook and spend time at the seaside, admiring the ocean.

Mrs. Cecere was a parishioner of St. Patrick’s for 44 years and a member of the choir for 37 years.

She is survived by her son, Anthony, and his wife, Mary; and was the loving grandmother of Ryan Cecere and Ashley Beachem (Bryan) and great-grandmother of Camden and Carter Beachem. She is also survived by 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 3-7 p.m. at Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main Street, Chatham, NJ 07928. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 22, 2021 at St. Patrick Church, 85 Washington Avenue, Chatham, NJ 07928. Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carmela Cecere Music Scholarship Fund, 255 Lafayette Ave., Chatham Township, NJ 07928 or the Livingston Symphony Orchestra, PO BOX 253, Livingston NJ 07039-0253.