Cecilia Angela Morey

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved and beautiful mother, Cecilia Angela Morey, who lost her battle with cancer on May 8, 2026, at the age of 76. Cecilia Angela Morey passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her three daughters. She lived a life defined by love, strength, resilience, and unwavering devotion to her family. Cecilia was born on August 10, 1949, in the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan, to John and Virginia Morey. Her parents often described her as stubborn — a quality that became one of her greatest strengths throughout her life. She was the oldest daughter in a family of ten children, alongside her brother Michael. From a young age, Cecilia carried a deep sense of responsibility, helping care for and guide her younger siblings Tom, Theresa, Mary, Tim, Cathy, Steve, Anne, and Jennifer. That sense of duty and determination remained with her throughout her life. She attended St. Martin School from first grade through high school and graduated in 1967. Raised in the Catholic faith, Cecilia sang in the church choir and carried her faith quietly and faithfully throughout her life. She formed lifelong friendships early on with Margie, Bernice, Mary, and Gertrude — friendships she treasured for decades. Cecilia often spoke fondly of her childhood in 1950s Detroit, remembering it as a simple and happy time. She loved riding bikes, jumping rope, and playing outside with her brothers. She cherished time spent at her Grandma Bleckman’s house, and one of her favorite memories was ice skating with her father on the frozen canal during winter. From a young age, Cecilia understood the value of hard work. At just 12 years old, she babysat and cleaned homes to earn money. By 16, she rode the bus to work as a cashier at Wrigley’s grocery store on Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe. That strong work ethic became one of the defining characteristics of her life. At 18, Cecilia made the brave decision to move out on her own, renting a small one-bedroom apartment just one mile from her parents’ home. It was a step toward independence she always valued. By age 19, she became a mother to her first daughter, Julie. Jacqueline followed at age 20, and Cynthia at age 22. From that moment forward, motherhood became her greatest purpose. Cecilia was an incredible stay-at-home mother who gave everything to her daughters. She built a home grounded in love, discipline, sacrifice, and care. She taught her children responsibility, humility, the importance of hard work, saving money, and staying grounded in what matters most — family. Later in life, Cecilia returned to work and built an impressive career. She worked at Warren Bank, then Huntington Bank, while also working a second job as a store manager at Auto Works to support her family. Through persistence and determination, she earned her SIE, Series 79, and Series 63 licenses and eventually became an investment banker. She retired from Private Banking at Huntington Bank at the age of 70, leaving behind a legacy of intelligence, perseverance, and quiet strength. No matter her professional success, family always came first. After her father passed away at the age of 59, Cecilia devoted herself to helping care for her mother for decades with unwavering love and commitment, until her mother’s passing last year at the age of 102. That level of devotion reflected who Cecilia truly was — loyal, selfless, and deeply devoted to the people she loved. She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: antiquing, flea markets, gardening, and baking. She loved to travel with her longtime partner, Steve Burns, dance, shop flea markets and antique stores along with attend live concerts. She visited Italy, Bermuda, Florida, New York, Maine, Boston and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She even traveled alone to Las Vegas to visit her best friend Margie, reflecting both her independence and adventurous spirit. During the holidays, Cecilia’s kitchen became the heart of the family. She baked Irish soda bread, Russian tea cakes, molasses cookies, and countless other family favorites, filling her home with warmth, comfort, and love. She was also a proud Detroit sports fan, especially devoted to the Tigers, and loved her city deeply. At age 70, Cecilia survived breast cancer. Later, at age 73, she began her battle with stage 4 kidney cancer. Even while facing tremendous challenges, she met life with dignity, courage, and strength, never allowing illness to define her. Through every hardship, her focus remained on her family and their well-being. In her final years, Cecilia showed a different kind of strength — one rooted in grace, presence, and unconditional love. Even on difficult days, she remained present for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Family remained the center of her world. She taught those she loved that love does not end when life becomes difficult — it changes form. It becomes memory. It becomes presence. It becomes the strength we carry forward. Cecilia never sought attention or recognition, but her love was steady, constant, and unwavering. She showed up every day. She sacrificed endlessly. She gave freely of herself and loved her family deeply. Her life was a testament to devotion — to family, to faith, to hard work, and to the life she built with quiet strength and enduring love. We remember her not only for the life she lived, but for the legacy she leaves behind — in her daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and all who knew her. A legacy of love, strength, and perseverance that will continue through all of us. She is survived by her three cherished daughters, Julie (John) Yestrepsky, Jacqueline (Matthew) Goyette, and Cynthia (Tony) Zambito. She was a loving and devoted grandmother to Paul (Ranya) Zambito, Alexandra (Davide) Uccello, Jonathan (Valeria) Yestrepsky, Zachary Yestrepsky, Nathaniel Yestrepsky, Helena Petrouleas, David Petrouleas, and Lauren Petrouleas. She was also a proud great-grandmother, lovingly known as “Gigi,” to Angelo Uccello, Luciano Uccello, and Antonino Zambito. She is also survived by her siblings Michael, Tom, Theresa, Mary, Tim, Cathy, Steve, Anne, and Jennifer; her sisters-in-law Ginger (David) Colling and Patty (Tony) Hoeffel; and her brother-in-law Dennis Colling. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered. A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, beginning at 11 a.m. and concluding with a 2 p.m. Rosary, at the Wasik Funeral Home, Inc., 11470 Thirteen Mile Road (West of Hoover) Warren. Instate Monday, May 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. until a 10:30 a.m. Memorial Mass at St. Faustina Catholic Church, 14205 Twelve Mile Road (East of Schoenherr) Warren. Cecilia will be laid to rest near her parents at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at a later date. Family is asking that in lieu of flowers, to please make a donation in her name to Homes For Our Troops 6 Main Street, Taunton, MA 02780, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. **Please note 13 Mile Road Eastbound is closed between Van Dyke and Hoover due to construction. Please access the funeral home parking lot by heading West on 13 Mile Road past Hoover.**

Cecilia Angela Morey

August 14, 1949 - May 8, 2026