Mary Cecilia Cepparulo

Mary Cecilia (nee Cellini) Cepparulo, July 7, 1937 – March 10, 2023

Mary was born and raised at 26th and Tasker Streets in South Philadelphia.  She attended St. Aloysius elementary school and attended church daily.  She graduated from Hallahan Catholic School for Girls in 1956.  She met her husband Romeo Cepparulo at a school dance that was held at St. Aloysius and they married in 1958 at King of Peace Church. She was the youngest of her siblings Anthony Cellini, Jr., Catherine Cellini, John Cellini, and Thomas Cellini, and the daughter of Anthony “Jack Reed” Cellini and Catherine (nee Coan) Cellini.  They purchased their first home on 61st Street in Southwest Philadelphia.  She went on to work at the A&P prior to having her first child Michele Cepparulo and later her second daughter Jacqueline Bishop.  Mary devoted her life to raising her girls with her loving husband of sixty-two years Romeo.  She was a homebody who enjoyed decorating her home and keeping it spotless.  She also made Sunday gravy and the best meatballs! Upon retirement, she and Romeo moved to Washington Township in Sewell, NJ.  Many people remarked on her beauty and up until her passing she would always apply her make-up daily and she was still beautiful at age of 85.  Our father always told the story of how he first noticed her long back luxurious hair at the dance where they first met.  She was a kind and loving introverted person who enjoyed being a mother and would often brag to everyone about her girls. She was thrilled to become a grandmom in 2018 to her beautiful granddaughter Gabrielle Mary Bishop born to her daughter Jackie and her husband Hewlett “Buddy” Bishop.  Mary passed peacefully on March 10, 2023, in the home of her daughter Jackie with her new friend and caretaker Brittany Lee at her side.  Mary will be sadly missed by her family and friends.  May she rest in eternal peace with her loving husband Romeo.

Mary wished for her services and burial to be private.