A Vigil Service and sharing of memories will be held Monday, December 13, 2021 for 96-year-old Sr. Celste Odorizzi, ASC, of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, who passed away at 8:50 p.m., Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at the Ruma Center, Ruma, Illinois. She had been professed for 79 years.
She and her brother Bruno were the only children of Enrico and Teresa (nee Busetti) Odorizzi She was born November 10, 1925 in Taylor Springs, Illinois.
Sister Celeste made her first profession of vows on July 1, 1942 and her final vows on July 1, 1947.
She was a teacher of history and music, conductor of band and orchestra, and music minister.
She received her Bachelor’s degree in History, minor in Music Education from Fontbonne University in St. Louis in 1954; her Master’s in Education with minor in Music Education from University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, Ill. in 1960. She also had her teaching certificates in both elementary and secondary students in fields of History and Music in both Illinois and Missouri.
She had been an elementary teacher, primarily of middle grades, at Saints Peter and Paul in Waterloo, St. Elizabeth’s in East St. Louis, St. Clare in O’Fallon, St. Rose in St. Rose and the Catholic Children’s Home in Alton, all in Illinois. In many of these missions, she also served as the organist for daily Mass.
She had been in high school ministry at St. Teresa Academy in East St. Louis, Ill. Precious Blood High School in Ruma, Ill., and St. Pius X High School in Festus, Mo. She taught history as well as music, conducted the school band and orchestra and served as organist where she was needed. The majority of her teaching years were spent at the high school level.
Her goal in her master’s program was “to get practical experience on every orchestra and band instrument.” She wanted to experience the problems in learning each one, be able to play all of them–at least to some extent–and have some expertise in repairing them. She played her trumpet with gusto, even when she was 90.
Her final assignment was in Bartelso, Ill. at St. Cecilia Parish. For 14 years she engaged in music ministry as organist, trumpet player and choir director. She moved to the Ruma Center in 2004 to begin Living Mission in Later Life. She volunteered as chauffeur and continued her music ministry with trumpet, organ and choir.
Sister Celeste is survived by her brother Bruno, her niece Linda Smith, a great niece, great nephews and members of the ASC community. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A Vigil Service and sharing of memories will occur on Monday, Dec. 13 at 9:00 a.m. The Eucharist of Resurrection will begin at 10:30, followed by burial in the Ruma Convent cemetery.
Donations in memory of Sister Celeste Odorizzi may be sent to the ASC Retirement Fund, 4233 Sulphur Ave., St. Louis, MO 63109 or online at www.adorers.org “Support our Ministries”