Cecelia Merlo 1949-2021

She was born Dec. 19, 1949, in Warren, the daughter of Rosario “Russ” and Lena Belcastro Merlo.

She was a 1967 graduate of Niles McKinley High School. She graduated from Youngstown State University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, a Master of Science in elementary education in 1974 and an Elementary Principalship in 1982.

She began her career as a teacher in Bloomfield-Mesopotamia School System in 1971. She became principal of Mesopotamia Elementary in 2004, until she retired in 2008. She received the Golden Apple Achievement Teacher of Year Award of Ohio in 1991.

She was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Niles.

In her earlier years, she was active in local bicycle clubs, biking hundreds of miles on bike trips around the area and across the country. She enjoyed backpacking and cross-country skiing. After retirement, she loved playing cards with friends, making scrapbooks for her grandkids, volunteering at West Boulevard Elementary, where her grandkids attended school, and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren and those she loved.

She was a two-time breast cancer survivor and was active in breast cancer awareness activities throughout the years.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughter, Melissa (Carmine) LaManna of Boardman; grandchildren, Melena LaManna and Carmine LaManna, both of Boardman; stepgrandson, Michael LaManna of Pompano Beach, Fla.; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, many extended family members, and numerous friends who were like family, especially Mary Greenlee and her adopted dog, Darby.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mary Arlene Liste; brother-in-law, Patrick Liste; and her brother, Joseph R. Merlo.

There will be no calling hours as per Ceal’s wishes. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct.16, 2021, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Niles, followed by a committal service at Pineview Memorial Park in Warren.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends may donate to the UPMC Center for Liver Diseases or Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio for breast cancer research.

The family would like to thank the doctors and medical staff at Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren, at UPMC Center for Liver Diseases in Pittsburgh and Compassionate Care Hospice for their care and compassion.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted by Wm Nicholas Funeral Home in Niles.

Friends and family may view the obituary and send condolences by visiting www.NicholasFuneralHome.com.

(special notice)