Obituary of Sr. Celeste Ciesielka

CIESIELKA -  Sr.  Celeste,  a member of the Carmelite Community of the Word entered into eternal life at age 64 on December 15, 2020 after a struggle with COVID.  She is mourned by her mother Leona and her sister Gerry as well as her sisters in the CCW community.  She has been preceded in death by her father, Jerry and her Sisters in community:  Sr. Mary Gainino, St. Maryann Palko and Sr. Marjorie Monahan.  Sr. Celeste spent her life in service to others throughout the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.  She ministered in roles of pastoral ministry & pastoral education in numerous locations and served in spiritual director roles for Cursillo & Third Order Carmelites.  She functioned as a Caseworker for Catholic Charities and as Hospital Chaplain in Altoona.  Her most recent ministry brought her to her home parish in Portage, PA where she visited the sick as a Pastoral Minister.  She volunteered her service to others in various other capacities.  Sr. Celeste was a faithful member of the Carmelite Community of the Word living the ideals of prayer, penance and service since 1981.  She was a gentle and quiet woman whose presence was always kind and compassionate to those she encountered in her personal and ministerial endeavors.  Due to the current pandemic, a private funeral service will be held.  A public memorial celebration of Sr. Celeste’s life will take place at a later date when COVID dangers are controlled. Arrangements are in the care of the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg.  (www.askew-houser.com)