Cecile Gifune

Cecile Gifune, 85, passed away peacefully, in her Orlando home, October 8, 2024.

Cecile was born to Anthony Gifune and Mary (Cortese) Gifune, September 17, 1939, in Utica, NY, where she was raised and educated, and remained most of her life. After graduating TR Proctor High School, she attended Cazenovia College, where she graduated as the class’ Valedictorian. She went on to take classes at the University of Miami on the pre-med track. Cecile left college before completing her degree to pursue her life’s true passion, motherhood, although it did not stop her from taking on and running the family lumber business, Rome General Lumber, for most of her professional career. On May 31, 1964, she gave birth to her daughter, MaryJo, the love of her life. After thirty-two years of being a dedicated mother, she became a loving and devoted grandmother to MaryJo’s three daughters. Her girls were her life.

In 2010, Cecile moved to Orlando, FL to join her daughter and family, all of whom she loved more than anything. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, MaryJo and Patrick Sunderlin; and her three granddaughters, Nicole, Samantha, and Madison Sunderlin. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Rosemary and Tom Walker; niece, Pamela (Walker) O’Neill and Gene O’Neill and their children, Amanda and Nicholas Lund; niece, Deborah (Walker) and Richard Carpentieri and their children, Francesca Carpentieri, and Isabella and Brett Adams and their children, Ryan, Elaina, and Aria; and her nephew, Louis Gifune Jr. and his family.

Cecile was full of life and larger than it. She radiated joy and approached the world with silliness, never taking herself too seriously. She will be remembered for her wit and uniquely “her” sense of humor. She had a youthful spirit, always excited by new experiences, adventures, and stories from her family. Some of her fondest memories came from her travels around the world, especially her girls trips. She loved to learn and throughout her life filled her days with tracking down answers to the most obscure questions. She most recently was interested in true-life crime documentaries; in another life she might have been a lawyer. She had a deep love of animals and was a proud yorkie-mom to her beloved Theodore Max. Above all, she was never happier than when she was with her family. She treasured holidays the most, when her entire family was together and she had access to all the best sweets and desserts.

A truly strong woman, she was a fighter to the very end. She is, has always been, and always will be, loved fiercely.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation which will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024, 5 to 7 p.m., at The Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger St., at Mohawk St., Utica. There will be a prayer service by Rev. James Cesta, at the conclusion of calling hours, at 7 p.m. Private entombment will be with her beloved parents at Crown Hill Memorial Park, Clinton.

In lieu of flowers, relatives and friends are encouraged to donate to the American Cancer Society to support their effort to find a cure to cancer. Donate in her honor at https://shorturl.at/sWVhF.

Online memorials at www.MattFuneralHome.com

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