CELESTE ANDERSON

Celeste V. Anderson, age 74, of Batavia, formerly of Maple Park, IL, passed into the arms of her Savior, Monday, August 9, 2021, following a massive sudden stroke, leaving behind an untold number of family and friends that will cherish her memory forever.

She was born May 18,1947, in DeKalb, IL, to proud and loving parents, Francis and Minnie (Oomen) Coffey.

Celeste grew up in Maple Park and attended local schools. She graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 1965.

She continued her education at Northern Illinois University where she studied to become teacher. Celeste graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1969. Following graduation, she found a home at East Aurora High School and would eventually dedicating 34 years to the students and community that she fell in love with.

Celeste met and married her high school sweetheart, John Anderson. Their love affair began on the first date, two weeks before senior prom. A year after graduation they walked down the aisle on July 25, 1970 and kept walking side by side for the next 51 years. They began their new life on Bliss Rd. in Batavia before moving down the road to a home John built in 1974. There they would spend countless celebrations and family gatherings, bringing family and friends together in a tapestry of laughter and love that could burst through the rafters.

Following her legendary tenure at East Aurora High School, Celeste found a family at Conley Funeral Home where she gave freely of her compassionate heart, genuine smiles and endless care to all those she greeted at the door.

Celeste was a faithful member of St. Gall Catholic Church in Elburn, the Elburn Women’s Golf League, Prestbury and Valley Green Golf Leagues and lead the way in soliciting for and in support of Special Olympics.  Celeste also had a place in her heart for the Child Welfare Society, a group that did fundraisers to benefit school students in need.

In her younger years, she joined her brothers and sisters in 4-H but later turned from the natural prairies and fields to the manicure lawns of the golf course. Celeste was an avid golfer, a wine lover and very much enjoyed groups that combined the two. She may have majored in education, but she had a PhD in shopping. She brought spare bags on vacation for her special finds, but no purchase was made unless she deemed it a “deal”. (The definition of which varied depending on the occasion.) Celeste was generous to a fault, often going above and beyond for friends and strangers alike. “Spare time” wasn’t in her vocabulary as she never let one moment go by without getting something done. She always made time for travel and despite visiting tropical locations such as Mexico, Jamaica, St. Thomas, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, Celeste always returned to Pentwater, MI to find true peace and tranquility. No matter the destination, there was always something special brought home for her grandchildren whom she loved dearly and would do anything for, basically living the mantra, “If they needed it, she bought it”. Home was truly where the heart was, and no time was a better time than Christmas. Her large collection of Santa’s festooned every room and always brought a smile to her face. Celeste was a wonder of energy, sunshine and happiness that now will shine down upon us from Heaven.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 51 years, John Anderson, their son Phillip “Phil” (Dawn Lyman) Anderson; three grandchildren: Cheyenne, Avery and Case Anderson; six siblings: Mary Jo (Don) Poore, Charles (Mary) Coffey, Theresa (Marc) Reid, Kathleen Coffey, Jim (Marty) Coffey and Carol (Marvin) Rettele; many nieces, nephews, cousins galore and a countryside full of friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Minnie Coffey; her brother Michael Coffey and sister Barbara Coffey, both in infancy.

Visitation will be Monday, August 30, 2021, at Elburn Lion’s Club, 500 Filmore St., Elburn, IL 60119, from 4-8 p.m. Private family services and burial will follow at later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Celeste’s name to benefit area hospice’s, American Heart Association, and St. Gall Catholic Church. Checks may be made to the “Celeste V. Anderson Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be Monday, August 30, 2021, at Elburn Lion’s Club, 500 Filmore St., Elburn, IL 60119, from 4-8 p.m. Private family services and burial will follow at later date.