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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Cecile Buonocore

Cecile Buonocore, age 81, a 37 year resident of Wilmington, DE passed away peacefully Saturday February 3, 2018 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

 Ceil was born in Dickson City, PA and graduated from Dickson City High School. She attended Marywood College where she graduated with a degree in Nursing. Ceil worked as a registered nurse in the VA Hospital system for many years before becoming a private duty nurse later in her career.

 Ceil enjoyed travel, horticulture, and spending time with her family.

 She was preceded in death by her son, John III; she is survived by her husband of 55 years, John, Jr., son Todd, Daughter in law Allison, and Grandchildren Paxton & Acadia.

 A people oriented person from birth, Ceil found her calling after the loss of her son John 3rd in the Rome airport terrorist attack, December 1985. Her calling was helping people cope with the grief of losing a loved one. Ceil would go on to lead the local chapter of The Compassionate Friends as an experienced grief counselor, eventually serving for several terms on the national Board of Directors for the organization. Ceil received a Jefferson Award for her extensive volunteer service.

 She will always live on inside our hearts and be remembered for her selfless and giving nature and offering a big, heartfelt hug.

 In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to The Compassionate Friends Foundation, P.O. Box 3696 Oak Brook, IL. Or online at www.compassionatefriends.org

 

 

 

 

Funeral Services

Friends are invited to Ceils’ life celebration Saturday February 24, 2018, 11:00am at Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, Old Kennett Rd., Wilmington, DE.

Condolences

    Karen Snepp writes,
    John, Todd--Though much of Ceil had departed already, the finality of death still comes with sadness. I hope you are at peace and celebrating the good times. I'm sorry I got to know Ceil only because of John 3rd's death, but I'm glad I got to know her. I loved the enthusiasm and energy she brought to TCF. On the TCF Facebook page I shared the story of how, when asked to share her fundraising secrets with the board, she brought each member a little pouch with a small card inside. On the card was one word: "ASK." I loved it! She knew how to do that! The photo you selected for her obituary was perfect in catching her essence. Hugs to you and the family. Karen Snepp
    02/08/2018 09:19 pm
    Antonio and Irene Tiberi lit a candle and writes,
    Our deepest condolences to all of you . May God comfort you in you time of need.
    02/09/2018 12:22 pm
    Tina Mitchell lit a candle and writes,
    Ceil was such an inspiration to me during my darkest hours. I will always remember her. She was an amazing person. My thoughts & prayers go out to her family.
    02/09/2018 03:30 pm
    Stewart Krug lit a candle and writes,
    My deepest condolences to your family. I knew Ceil when she was the long time leader of the Brandywine Hundred Chapter of Compassionate Friends. She was a very friendly, gentle person and a great leader and comforter. She is greatly missed.
    02/10/2018 06:45 am
    Karl Snepp writes,
    John, I was saddened to learn of Ceil's passing. Please accept my sincere sympathy. Sue and I always enjoyed working with her on TCF matters -- she was such a great combination of hilarity, smart business-thinking and innovation. Many good memories of a great gal! Karl
    02/10/2018 11:45 am
    Mary Mullin lit a candle and writes,
    Ceil was a wonderful person! She helped me when my son Mark died in 2001! Without her kindness I would not have survived his death! She always had a hug for me and her wonderful smile made me feel better! Thank you dear friend! I will never forget you! Love Mary!
    02/10/2018 10:11 pm
    Bix and Lee Bush writes,
    Todd and family.....We, the Bush family, are very sorry for your loss. We certainly have many positive memories of your Mom and Dad as they followed yours and John's progress through Tower Hill during different activities, especially sports.....Our best to the family... Bix, Lee, Nari, Kelly and Rick
    02/13/2018 04:47 pm
    mary szewczyk writes,
    John, I was so sorry to hear of Cecile's death. I have great memories of the many trips that we took together with the Delaware Center for Horticulture to Pittsburgh, England and France!! She was always so full of fun!! I know you and your family will miss her terribly. With prayers, Mary
    02/20/2018 09:55 am
    Jill Kolody lit a candle and writes,
    John and family, I wish you peace and strength during this time. Ceil and I shared a special happiness. I was thrilled that my daughter was marrying such a kind, loving man, and she was "over the top" that her son was marrying such a smart and congenial women. On top of all that, we gained each other as good friends. We'll always remember the gourmet meals prepared at John and Ceil's home. I remember how hard she worked on behalf of Compassionate Friends, and how she would tell us about the group and it's accomplishments with great pride. We were all proud of her. Ceil was a giving, caring person and we will all miss her.
    02/23/2018 09:21 am
    Melissa Biggar writes,
    I was sorry to come across Mrs. Buonocore's obituary online. I never met her, but I was a classmate and friend of John's at Dickinson College. Around the time of our 10-year reunion I wrote your family a note to let you know I still thought of John, would always remember what an extraordinary person he was, and that I felt very fortunate to have known him for the brief time I did. I think of him even now and still feel such sadness about his tragic end. He used to say laughingly that his last name came from the Italian for "good heart," buon cuore, and he couldn't have been closer to the truth. I hadn't expected a response, but Mrs. Buonocore replied to my letter. I'd written about how John was such a genuinely good person and had been so well liked by everyone who knew him, and I'll always remember her response. She wrote something to the effect that as parents they were always amazed by John, that he'd always seemed so comfortable in his own skin and they didn't know where that came from. Her letter was written in such a loving way about her son that I knew, even having never met her, that she, too, must be an amazing person. I'm sorry for all your family has been through, and although we have never met and probably never will, I wanted to express my condolences. Your family has positively impacted people in ways you probably never imagined, and I hope you can take some comfort in that. Blessings to you all. Melissa
    03/01/2018 09:21 pm
    Patrick McDermott lit a candle and writes,
    I was the lucky recipient of an “Any Soldier” letter Cecile sent during the first Gulf War in 1990. I was blessed to get to know her and visit her upon my return. I was saddened to learn of her passing. She was a wonderful woman!
    08/24/2018 12:24 pm

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