Apr 28, 2018

Celestine Gillespie Leftwich Mooney, 94, passed away Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.

She was born June 4, 1923, in Washington, a daughter of the late Claude Leftwich and Celestine Ruffner Leftwich. She was the fifth of nine children.

Celly grew up in Washington and was a 1942 graduate of East Washington High School.

She attended John Wesley United Methodist Church.

She met Raymond Julius Mooney when he was a student at Washington & Jefferson College. They were married July 20, 1951, and settled in Cleveland, Ohio.

She thrived in Cleveland, juggling roles as a working woman and homemaker with ease. She maintained an active social calendar as a member of the Cleveland Alumni Chapter of Kappa Silhouettes and Marine Corps Spouses Club.

Celestine was committed to the civil rights movement and supported Raymond in his role as director of the NAACP of Cleveland. The couple was dedicated to improving race relations and the lives of the underprivileged.

For more than 50 years, Celestine was a member of Corey United Methodist Church, where she held many leadership positions.

From an early age, Celly exhibited empathy, concern and a deep love for children. She devoted much of her life to the caring, nurturing, education and enrichment of the lives of her godchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. After retirement, Celestine took on a second act, following her passion and founding her own family childcare facility. Today, she is fondly remembered by countless children and parents as a beloved caregiver. She cherished her special relationship, love and companionship with Shyla Nims and her young daughter, Camdyn.

Celly executed her many roles in life with the utmost kindness, grace and class. She simply sparkled well into her ninth decade, exuding a zest for life conveyed by her melodic voice, quick wit and youthful energy.

Celestine Gillespie Mooney is survived by sisters Ruth M. Leftwich and Josephine Leftwich Spears; brother Claude H. Leftwich; nieces Claudia K. Scott (Henry), Leah K. Scott, Camille Burgess and Angela Devan; nephews Claude O. Spears, Kristopher H. Scott (Bonnie) and Ethan H. Scott; and a host of special nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

Deceased are her husband, Raymond J. Mooney; brother Robert S. Leftwich; and sisters Cynthia Jayne Leftwich, Patricia A. Leftwich, Marjorie Leftwich Johnson and Helen Louise Leftwich.

Celestine was laid to rest beside her husband, Raymond, in Maple Heights, Ohio.