Obituary of Celeste Johanna Bianco

Celeste Johanna Bianco passed away peacefully on November 14, 2023 after a brief illness with her loving daughter and granddaughter by her side at the Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ. Celeste was born on August 19, 1929, in Madison, NJ. She attended The One Room Schoolhouse in Ralston. Her childhood home is now the Ralston Cider Mill Museum and visitor center. She graduated from Morristown High School in 1946 and Trenton State Teachers College. She spent most of her life in Brookside and later moved to Toms River with her daughter Philomena. Celeste was an intelligent and extraordinarily talented and gifted person in linguistics, writing, gardening, sewing, wine making, enjoying the slots and giving amazing holiday parties with great food and music for all to enjoy! in addition she was also a historian and chef, always eager to share a story (or funny joke!) and recipe with her family and friends, as well as volunteering at the Brookside library, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. In her 70s Celeste became a member of the Coast Guard auxiliary and served for IO years and was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans Womens Auxiliary. Her unshakable Christian Faith kept her close to God and the family and friends that the Lord bestowed upon her. She always shared unconditional love, encouragement, and an incredible sense of humor with everyone. She had a way of making everyone feel that they were the most important person on earth. Celeste is predeceased by her husband Archangel "Arky" who also passed on November 14 nine years previously) with whom she was blessed to have shared 65 years of marriage, her parents Sam and Anna Fornaro and her two brothers Sammy and Philip. She is survived by her four children: Philomena Simonelli, Michael Bianco (Marlene), Anna Ciccarelli (her late husband Anthony "Tony", Archangel Jr, two grandchildren Cassandra and Matthew (Caroline), two great granddaughters Angelina and Brielle, nephews, nieces, cousins all of whom were the light of her life and many friends who have become “family". Celeste always had a beaming smile on her face that was contagious and would light up any room. Heaven has gained a most beautiful angel, and she will remain in our hearts forever. A memorial service will be held at Saint Joseph’s RC Church in Mendham, NJ on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 10:30AM. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations in her memory be made to the Silverton First Aid Squad, Toms River, NJ 08753.