Celestine M. Cioccio

Celestine M. Cioccio, age 93, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2025 at St. Mary’s at Asbury Ridge. She was born on July 6, 1932 in Rocca Pia, Italy the only child of Giuseppe and Angelarosa (DeSantis) Fulgenzio.

Celestine immigrated to Erie in 1951 when she was 19 years old. In 1953 she traveled back to Rocca Pia to marry her beloved husband, Giuseppe “Joe” Cioccio. Together they traveled back to Erie and raised their family here. They were married for 51 years until Joe’s passing in 2004. Although she kept many Italian traditions and passed them to her family, she was always grateful to live in the United States as an Italian American. Celestine was a member of the Italian American Women’s Association and was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s RC Church. She was a hard worker her whole life and worked at Firch’s Bakery for over 25 years as a cake wrapper. She was an excellent cook and her family and friends meant everything to her. She was godmother “La Comara” to many and was loved by all.

Celestine was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband. She is survived by her two children; Mary Heintz (Howard) and Stanley Cioccio (Pamela) all of Erie. She is further survived by three grandchildren, Michael Heintz (Christy) of Chicago, IL; Angela Andrews (Gabe) of Honolulu, HI; and Dr. Joseph Cioccio (Alyssa) of Annville, PA. Also surviving are two great-grandsons, Henry and Harrison Heintz of Chicago, IL.

Celestine’s family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary’s Asbury ( where she was affectionately known as CeCe) and AseraCare Hospice for the compassionate care she received the last several months.

Friends are invited to call the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services Inc., West Ridge, 3801 W.26th St., Erie on Thursday, December 11, 2025 from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Further visiting on Friday at St. Paul’s RC Church, 1617 Walnut St., from 10:30 am until time of Funeral Mass at 11:30 am. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s RC Church, 1617 Walnut St., Erie, PA 16502 or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.

Send condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com