Cecelia Mangiocco Steele

Cecelia “Ceil” Mangiocco Steele, age 74, of Wilmington, DE passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on Monday, March 13, 2023.

Cecelia was born in 1948, in Pennsville, NJ to John and Virginia Mangiocco. Growing up in Pennsville with her parents and her sisters Fecelia and Patricia, she reveled in the love and liveliness of a large extended Italian-American family. She always felt blessed in all the good times with the Mangiocco’s, Gagliardi’s, Federici’s, Cannizzaro’s, and Fornaro’s

It was in her beloved home town that she discovered her first love, books. She said when she was a young girl one of the biggest honors of her life was cutting the ribbon at the opening of Pennsville Public Library. She recalled tapping her little foot, hands on her hips waiting for the doors to open. Her anticipation was so great, she later said, because “Reading always delivers the greatest adventure. Taking you to any place you want to go from any seat you are in.” A voracious reader all her life, there was many an adventure to be had.

Ceil graduated Pennsville Memorial High School in 1966. She was a captain of cheerleaders, member of the pep club, newspaper staff, and with the focus of her studies on a professional business career. She was a popular gal in school, with a wealth of friends, many of whom remained her beloved friends for the rest of her life.

After high school, she began her professional career in Wilmington, DE at Walsh Advertising then onto Weymouth Architects, and lastly, at the DuPont Corporation where she retired as a Manager of Communications in the early 2000’s. Throughout her working life she was a highly respected and much-loved colleague, mentor, and friend.

A chance meeting with a young man, Richard, at the Merryland Roller Rink in 1967 led to marriage on April 12, 1969 and taking them on a journey together as dedicated partners in love and life for 53 years.

She became a mother in 1972 to Lorieann. She was an incredible mother and her daughter will forever be beyond grateful and proud to have her as her mom. And although she was a mom to one, she was also “Mama Ceil” to her daughters’ friends and a gaggle of young people spending time over the years at the Steele house and with her having tons of conversations, laughter, and fun.

Celia was, is, a beautiful, intelligent, strong, lively woman and soul. She will be missed by many.

Cecelia is survived by her husband, Richard J. Steele and daughter, Lorieann Steele; sisters, Fecelia McCoy and Patricia Mohnal; sister-in-law, Polly Brown; brother-in-law Jay McCoy; brother-in-law Robert Mohnal; nieces, cousins, extended loving and loved family. 

A viewing will be held Wednesday, March 22, 2023 from 11am to 12pm at Gebhart Funeral Home, 3401 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703, where a funeral service will begin at 12pm.  Burial will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE 19720.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Rd., Newark, DE 19713.

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go…. – e e cummings

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