Age 92, born August 31, 1927 to Lecadio and Castora Rodriguez-Centeno in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.  A long-time resident of Bronx, New York, where she resided from 1964 until 2013, then moved to Merrillville, Indiana.  Her last days were spent at Dyer Nursing & Rehab Center in Dyer, Indiana.

Survived by daughter, Ramona (Molina) Roman; son, Edilberto (Krimilda) Molina, Sr.; sisters, Maria Molina and Antonia Centeno; grandson, Luis Roman, Jr.; great grandchildren, Yang and Etzan Molina and Gabriel Roman; special niece, Teresa Centeno; special God-daughter, Evelyn Centeno; 2 great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her husband, Joseph T. Hernandez; grandson, Edilberto Molina, Jr.; granddaughter, Ruth M. Roman; parents, 5 sisters and 2 brothers.

Celia, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and fun-loving friend to many.  Celia worked as a seamstress for 40 years in a factory in New York.  After retirement, she became somewhat of an entrepreneur.  She sold Amway, Avon and Mary Kay.  She even converted her 3-flat building into a six-unit rental property.  When her husband Joe, a retired orthodontist, became disabled due to a stroke, Celia changed roles as his loving devoted caretaker at Beth Abraham Center & Rehab in Bronx, New York, where he resided for 16 years until his death.  During that time, she not only continued to volunteer at the facility but she also studied nursing and earned a nursing degree.  She was a “Super Woman” of her time.

Celia was a long-time, active member of Holy Cross Church in Bronx, NY, where she served as a “cursillista”, a minister of Eucharist, Circle of Prayer, and a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  In 2013, she became a member of St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Merrillville, IN.  She loved spending time with family, enjoyed going on vacation, socializing with friends, dancing, playing dominos, and most recently playing bingo with her special friends, Rosita, Ofelia, Margaret, Isabel, Sandra and Lisa.  She was the life of every gathering.  Her presence brought so much love, joy and laughter.  Celia will truly be missed.

Friends may visit Monday, June 29, 2020, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft St., Merrillville, IN.  A special Christian service, Tuesday, June 30, 2020, 10:00 a.m., St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 5885 Harrison St, Merrillville, IN.

Celia will be transported to New York, where she will be laid to rest with her late husband on July 2, 2020.  A Christian service will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manhattan, New York, followed by a Christian Burial Service at Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, New York.

7535 Taft Street, Merrillville, IN 46410 VIEW MAP

T 219-736-5840
F 219-685-5128

5885 Harrison Street, Merrillville, IN 46410  VIEW MAP

T 219-980-2693