Obituary of Cecelia A. Pleakis

Cecelia Ann Stetz Pleakis Allegany, NY Cecelia Ann Stetz Pleakis, 94, of 3148 Cranberry Rd., passed away Friday (January 19, 2024) at The Pines of Olean. Born July 12, 1929 at her lifelong home in Allegany she was the daughter of Paul and Anna Sol Stetz. On February 4, 1950 in Allegany, she married Vytauto J. “Joe” Pleakis who predeceased her October 5, 1986. Ceil attended grade school at St. Bonaventure Parochial School and graduated in 1946 from St. Elizabeth Academy in Allegany. Prior to raising her family, she worked as an operator for New York Telephone. After her children were in school she then worked at the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, and later for the Bordonaro family at the former Palace Theater. She loved her family, her friends, and her community. In addition to actively attending her grandchildren’s events and babysitting and even dog sitting, she would drop anything to help anyone. She valued catholic education and supported Walsh High School’s events such as bingo, was recognized by St. Bonaventure Home School Association as its “Parent of the Year”, and in 2010 she received the Department of the Aging’s “Volunteer of the Year”. She was a longtime volunteer for local organizations such as Hospice and the St. Francis Hospital Guild, and for The Pines where she was recognized for her outstanding service to the aged. She enjoyed 50 years of membership of the Pulaski Club Ladies Auxiliary. Ceil was a devoted member of St. Bonaventure Church all her life. She volunteered for the annual Bonafest, was among the top sellers of (the former) Bonapar tickets, provided food for the bereavement luncheons and helped at The Bridge. She was a longtime member of the Catholic Daughters of America and the Altar and Rosary Society as well as having been a Lady Knight of Columbus with the Allegany Council #1220. She was not only an avid sports fan but was also known for being an excellent golfer. For years she played in the Bonaventure Women’s Golf League and golfed until age 85. She admired many professional athletes in golf, football, and basketball. She was a fan of the St. Bonaventure Bonnies as well as Niagara University Purple Eagles basketball and the Buffalo Bills. At her lifelong home on Cranberry Road, which always served as a warm welcoming home for friends and family to gather, she loved gardening, cooking, and baking for the holidays. She also enjoyed sitting in her garage looking outside, especially at the birds and squirrels, as well as enjoyed the company of her dogs Bimbo and Charlie. Above all, she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She leaves behind 6 children, Donald J. (Rita) Pleakis of Kiantone, Edward D. (Ann) Pleakis of Olean, Michael P. (Leslie) Pleakis of Greenville, SC, John T. (JoAnn) Pleakis of Bradford, PA, Laurie A. (Robert Anick) of Columbus, MI, and Steven A. (Mary) Pleakis of Allegany; 21 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by two daughters Nancy J. Pleakis and Marsha A. Page; three brothers Michael Stetz, Joseph Stetz, and John Stetz, and two sisters Mary Anne Williams and Helen Freeman. The family will receive friends on Friday from 4-7pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday (January 27, 2024) at 10am in St. Bonaventure Church. Rev. Michael Reyes, OFM, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Homecare and Hospice, 115 E. Main St., Allegany, NY 14706, the St. Bonaventure University Athletic Fund, St. Bonaventure University, NY 14770, (baf@sbu.edu.), or to ALS (disease research), 135 Old Cove Rd., Suite 213, Liverpool, NY 13090 (info@alsaupstateny.org).