fortified with the sacraments of Holy Mother Church, 94 years old, died peacefully in Chicago on December 23, 2021. Caring wife of 59 years of the late John Dooley; dear mother of John (Cynthia), and Paul (Paula) Dooley, and Annette (Robert) Winger; loving grandmother of Laura, Colleen, Susan Dooley, Erin (David) Schnell, and Matthew (Melissa Nunchuck), and Lewis Winger. Great-grandmother of Sean and Aiden Trunk. Proceeded in death by her husband, and also her parents, Maria Marina Martinez Ortiz and Jose Nestor Ortiz; her brother Cirilo (Anna Marie) Ortiz, and her sister Ruth (Fred) Kissinger. Beloved Aunt, Cousin, Godmother and friend.
After graduation from Mount St. Scholastica Academy in Cañon City, CO and then Loretto Heights College in Denver, Cecelia accepted a scholarship for a newly developed graduate degree program in Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. This is where she met John. They married in her hometown of Alamosa, CO and settled in St. Louis, where John had grown up.
Cecelia worked her entire career as a LCSW with Catholic Charities in St. Louis. She advocated tirelessly for the children at Mercita Hall, Convent of The Good Shepherd, and Marygrove. She was instrumental in handling emergency placements, foster care, adoptions, and arranging residential support to help children in need find a safe and positive place to call home.
A force of nature, Cecelia was devout in her faith and very active in Holy Family Catholic Church parish and school. She launched a very public campaign to try to save them from closing. She served on the Boards of Grand-Oak Hill Association, St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. Louis Philanthropic Organization, and Almost Home. She was deeply committed to advancing the quality of life for people in need, be it through her work, the various organizations with which she was involved, or a drive by with a care package. She was a passionate and tireless advocate for children, young adults, and families.
Cecelia was devoted to her family. She would say that she wanted us to be happy in however we defined success, to remain firm in our faith, and understanding of each other. She was proud of us and our accomplishments. She enjoyed her grandchildren and would get on the floor to play with them when they were little, relying on their help to get back up! She enjoyed having people over in South St. Louis and cooking them Mexican dinners. Her door was always open, and few could refuse her charm.
Cecelia was living in Chicago the last 12 years with her daughter and family. Although she tolerated the Chicago sports teams, she remained a loyal St. Louis Cardinals’ fan.
She faced her health challenges and progression of Parkinson’s with the same strength with which she faced everything. She ran her race. She will be dearly missed.
The family acknowledges and is deeply grateful to the skilled and compassionate care-givers who helped Cecelia maintain her dignity and comfort at home.
Services: Visitation at St. John the Baptist Church Catholic Church on Thursday, December 30, 9:00 a.m. until the funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Almost Home, 3200 St. Vincent Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63104, or the charity of one’s choice.
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. She was a great woman who loved you unconditionally. May she rest in peace.
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. She was a great woman who loved you unconditionally. May she rest in peace.
John, Cindy, Paul, Paula, Annette, Bob and families,
We are so sorry to hear about Aunt Cecelia’s passing but happy that she will be without pain and in the hands of the Lord. She was such a kind and loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. I am so blessed to have spent the time with Aunt Cecelia and Uncle John who opened their home and hearts to me. She was not only a loving aunt but a mentor to me as well. We share in your sorrow. It is so difficult to lose a parent at any age. You are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
John, Cindy, Paul, Paula, Annette, Bob and families,
We are so sorry to hear about Aunt Cecelia’s passing but happy that she will be without pain and in the hands of the Lord. She was such a kind and loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. I am so blessed to have spent the time with Aunt Cecelia and Uncle John who opened their home and hearts to me. She was not only a loving aunt but a mentor to me as well. We share in your sorrow. It is so difficult to lose a parent at any age. You are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
My sympathies to Annette and family. She was a gracious woman, a great example to all.
She once told me “A meeting should never last more than an hour. Nothing worthwhile is accomplished beyond that time.” A wise woman.
My sympathies to Annette and family. She was a gracious woman, a great example to all.
She once told me “A meeting should never last more than an hour. Nothing worthwhile is accomplished beyond that time.” A wise woman.
Dear family Of Cecelia Dooley,
I was blessed to be able to spend a small amount of time with Aunt Cecelia and I could feel her love for me. She always remembered my birthday and would call me and would ask about my family.
Aunt Cecelia had the most beautiful smile and I know she will be dearly missed . Love and warm hugs.
Dear family Of Cecelia Dooley,
I was blessed to be able to spend a small amount of time with Aunt Cecelia and I could feel her love for me. She always remembered my birthday and would call me and would ask about my family.
Aunt Cecelia had the most beautiful smile and I know she will be dearly missed . Love and warm hugs.
I remember your Mom she was a lovely woman, always around as I grew up in Holy Family. Eternal rest grant unto her, o, Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her.
I remember your Mom she was a lovely woman, always around as I grew up in Holy Family. Eternal rest grant unto her, o, Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her.
Ceil will be missed beyond words! She hired me for my first Executive Director position at Almost Home, in 2002 and remained my mentor and friend for many years thereafter. I learned how to manage an organization through her patient guidance. I am so grateful to Ceil for her support and wisdom. Sending heartfelt condolences to the family.
Ceil will be missed beyond words! She hired me for my first Executive Director position at Almost Home, in 2002 and remained my mentor and friend for many years thereafter. I learned how to manage an organization through her patient guidance. I am so grateful to Ceil for her support and wisdom. Sending heartfelt condolences to the family.
Sorry for your loss. She worked on many with my mother Georgette. Rest in peace.
Sorry for your loss. She worked on many with my mother Georgette. Rest in peace.
Typing is not my long suit.
Hug someone in Ceil’s honor. You may feel better.
Typing is not my long suit.
Hug someone in Ceil’s honor. You may feel better.
Annette, Bob and families, I feel honored and blessed to have known Mrs Dooley. She was a strong, kind and compassionate woman, she’ll be greatly missed. May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared comfort everyone now and in the days ahead. My heartfelt condolences!.
Annette, Bob and families, I feel honored and blessed to have known Mrs Dooley. She was a strong, kind and compassionate woman, she’ll be greatly missed. May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared comfort everyone now and in the days ahead. My heartfelt condolences!.
My deepest sympathy to Annette, and her family. May Cecelia Rest In Peace. She was so blessed to have you in her life.
My deepest sympathy to Annette, and her family. May Cecelia Rest In Peace. She was so blessed to have you in her life.
To Ceil’s family,
My love, thoughts and prayers are with you during this time… Your mom was one who just simply made the world a better place!!! I am so thankful that our earthly paths crossed… often, when in her presence I felt the Presence of holiness!
She indeed had a special place in the heart of this priest!
Although you will miss her tremendously, may your hearts feel peace knowing that she is now seeing the face of God… and hearing the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
What a comfort it must be knowing that she is seeing the Face of God this Christmas!
To Ceil’s family,
My love, thoughts and prayers are with you during this time… Your mom was one who just simply made the world a better place!!! I am so thankful that our earthly paths crossed… often, when in her presence I felt the Presence of holiness!
She indeed had a special place in the heart of this priest!
Although you will miss her tremendously, may your hearts feel peace knowing that she is now seeing the face of God… and hearing the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
What a comfort it must be knowing that she is seeing the Face of God this Christmas!
My prayers and condolences for the Dooley family. I have nothing but fond memories for Mrs. Dooley. Mr. Dooley was my first grade baseball manager and I went to grade school with John. Her obituary is totally accurate. I was very upset and saddened when her efforts to keep Holy Family Church open were thwarted. She was one of the true Holy Family Parish legends.
My prayers and condolences for the Dooley family. I have nothing but fond memories for Mrs. Dooley. Mr. Dooley was my first grade baseball manager and I went to grade school with John. Her obituary is totally accurate. I was very upset and saddened when her efforts to keep Holy Family Church open were thwarted. She was one of the true Holy Family Parish legends.
Cecelia was a pillar of Holy Family Parish. She had many friends who loved her and respected her. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Cecelia was a pillar of Holy Family Parish. She had many friends who loved her and respected her. My deepest sympathy to her family.
My prayers are with you. Ceil came to me and my family when we needed help. She always showed strength in character and resolution.
May my life be as well lived as hers.
My prayers are with you. Ceil came to me and my family when we needed help. She always showed strength in character and resolution.
May my life be as well lived as hers.
Ceil was my strength and comfort. She was the heart of Holy Family and a dear friend. When we sadly closed Holy family, there was a statue in the main hall of the school of the Holy Family. I went to her home and presented her with this statue. I thought she lived the values of the Holy Family and was a leading parishioner. She will be missed and I will always remember her and pray for her and each of her family members.
Ceil was my strength and comfort. She was the heart of Holy Family and a dear friend. When we sadly closed Holy family, there was a statue in the main hall of the school of the Holy Family. I went to her home and presented her with this statue. I thought she lived the values of the Holy Family and was a leading parishioner. She will be missed and I will always remember her and pray for her and each of her family members.
Wow!!! What a women your mom was!! So very impressive. She had quite a life loving and giving. I’m sure she in a good place in heaven. So glad u were able to be with her. May the memories bring u comfort
Wow!!! What a women your mom was!! So very impressive. She had quite a life loving and giving. I’m sure she in a good place in heaven. So glad u were able to be with her. May the memories bring u comfort
Dear Annette,
I was so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. She was always very kind to me and especially to my mother. My mother had Parkinson’s disease also. Your mom would come over a few times a month to visit. Your mother was very special and I know she will be terribly missed. Your family is in my prayers.
Dear Annette,
I was so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. She was always very kind to me and especially to my mother. My mother had Parkinson’s disease also. Your mom would come over a few times a month to visit. Your mother was very special and I know she will be terribly missed. Your family is in my prayers.
Annette, my condolences to you and your family on your mother’s passing. I know your hearts are heavy, but she led such a productive life, faithful to her family and her God. Celebrate her life and her entry into Heaven as she basks in the light of her Savior. Bless all of you.
Annette, my condolences to you and your family on your mother’s passing. I know your hearts are heavy, but she led such a productive life, faithful to her family and her God. Celebrate her life and her entry into Heaven as she basks in the light of her Savior. Bless all of you.