Celia Perlongo (89) passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 13, 2020, in Madera, Ca. Celia was born on August 10, 1922, in New York to Michael and Asunta Pastena. In 1976, Celia and her husband Joe and their daughters moved to Madera. Celia was a loving mom and homemaker, and a great cook. When the holidays came, the whole family would gather at her home with great anticipation for her cooking, especially her famous meatballs and her red “gravy”. 

Celia worked at McDonald’s as a Greeting Hostess for over 20 years. Prior to that she was a school monitor at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. She loved McDonald's fries and would always bring her grandchildren happy meals after school. Her grandchildren loved to visit her while she was working and eat with her during her break. Celia received a Certificate of Recognition for her Dedicated Service. Her children remember her white car and they would always laugh at her when she revved the engine and peeled out. Celia loved vanilla ice cream cones and sweets -- and red wine!

For the last two years, Celia lived at Avalon Health Care, and her family would come and visit her routinely. Celia’s family would like to thank Avalon and their Staff who took great care of her while she was there. She was loved by everyone there. The family also extends a special thanks to Alicia Ramos who was so good with Celia.

Celia is preceded in death by her husband Joseph Perlongo and her siblings: Rose DeAnglis, Salvatore Perlongo and his wife Josephine Perlongo, Mario Perlongo and his wife Mary Perlongo, Anthony (Tony) Pastena, Ralph Pastena, Carmine (Tommy) Pastena, Carmela Pastena, and Almarando (Dean) Pastena.

She is survived by her sister Vera Delio, her sister-in-law Rose Lomascola, and by her three daughters Dr. Antoinette Stone and daughter-in-law MJ Skinner, Regina Henry and son-in-law Gavin Henry, and Angela Martinez and son-in-law Paul Martinez, as well as her six grandchildren Joseph and his wife Nici Nassiri, Kavon and his wife Kayla Nassiri, Serena and her husband Kurt Arreola, Daniel Martinez, Nicolas Martinez, and Adam Martinez, and her seven great-grandchildren, Caroline, Cori and Camille Nassiri, Analie Perlongo, Ayden Arreola, Kimberlee Arreola, Ava Arreola, with the last one arriving in the near future. Her surviving extended family consists of numerous nieces and nephews both in California and on the East Coast.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date once Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted.