Obituary of Margherit Michelina Ceccanti

Margherit Michelina (Dolly) Ceccanti Passed peacefully Wednesday evening, March 17th, 2010, encircled with loving family. Born to Carmela and Anthony Crivellone in Anaconda, Montana, on Jan 24th, 1921, she was predeceased by her husband James Ceccanti, her parents, and her brother Oresto (Gina) Crivellone. She is survived by children Beverly, James (Theresa) Ceccanti and Debra (Ron) Smethurst, grandchildren Kelly (Ann) and Casey Smethurst, Pauline, Isabel and Emmet Ceccanti, sister Sofia DiRe Healy, well-loved nephews, nieces, and cousins. Margherit moved with her family to Tacoma when she was four, and the area became her lifelong home. She attended Visitation, graduated from St. Leo's High and St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing. She joined the Army during World War II, and was a war veteran, having served with rank of Lieutenant as a field nurse in the Philippines. When she returned, after a long bout with malaria, she began dating the man she would marry a year later, Jim Ceccanti. Margherit loved her profession as a nurse and practiced for many years. She assisted with a co-owned family business, and, together with Jim, grew to know many who frequented Ceccanti's Restaurant on Pacific Avenue. She was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish. Her hobbies included reading, painting, doll making, and politics. When Jim retired, he and Margherit traveled to central Baja, where they built a cabin near a small lagoon on the Sea of Cortez. They spent several years enjoying winters in the warm, sunny climate with friends till Jim's passing in '88. Margherit took special delight in her grandchildren and their activities, enjoyed an active lifestyle, her beautiful geraniums, some traveling, and Pico, her beloved Chihuahua. Margherit will be remembered by family and friends as generous and good-natured, a lady who graced us with her love, talent, and good sense of humor. Rosary 7pm Thursday, March 25th at Piper-Morley-Mellinger Funeral Home, 5436 S. Puget Sound, Tacoma. Funeral Mass 11am Friday, March 26, 2010 at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 7112 So.12th St., Tacoma