Celeste (Cummings) Dardanelli

Schenectady - Celeste Dardanelli, 78, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at Ellis Hospital. Born in Syracuse, NY, she was a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy. Celeste was a kind hearted woman who always had a smile on her face and made others feel comfortable when they were around her. She enjoyed craft fairs, traveling and her family. Celeste loved to cook and provided tasty Sunday afternoon Italian dinners for her family. Even though she was Irish she made the best Italian sauce and meatballs. Celeste loved to travel with her family and her loving husband, taking numerous cruises and trips the world over. Her favorite destination was Hawaii where she especially enjoyed helicopter rides around the islands. Celeste was a Loan Officer at First NY Federal Credit Union from which she retired in 1997. She was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church; a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians; a member of the Knights of St. John Ladies Auxiliary and volunteered weekly at St. John the Evangelist elementary school. In her earlier years she was an avid bowler and member of the St. Elizabeth Auxiliary Bowling league. In her later years she was actively involved with golf and babysitting her numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be remembered as cherishing her family above all else which include her husband of 58 years, William V. Dardanelli, Sr., her four children, William (Judi) Dardanelli, Jr. of Colonie, Diane Dardanelli and her fiancé, (Doug Ringer) of Schenectady, Mark (Sandy) Dardanelli of Glenville and the late David (Karen) Dardanelli of Suffield, CT. She was the grandmother of Melissa Tubbs (Dardanelli), William III, Rachael, David Jr., Glenn, Todd, Mitchell and Mia Dardanelli. Two great grandchildren, Nicholas and Mason Dardanelli. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and her sister Teresa Kavanah of Schenectady. Celeste was predeceased by her parents, Martin and Teresa (Connelly) Cummings and her sisters Joan Breen, Joyce Johnson and brother, John Cummings. The family would like to thank the Doctors and Nurses of the Ellis Hospital ICU for the loving and attentive care provided to Celeste. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at: Tribute Program, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148. Reference tribute # 38853681. Calling hours will be held Sunday from 4-7 p.m. at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam. Funeral services will begin at 9 a.m. Monday at the funeral home followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John the Evangelist Church. Entombment will follow at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna.