Celeste B. Evans
July 15, 1924 – March 7, 2024
Retired Captain Celeste B. Evans, aged 99, passed away peacefully in her home in Mount Dora, Florida, on March 7, 2024.
Celeste orn on July 15, 1924, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to the late Ethel and Joseph Gelwicks. She was a proud resident of Mount Dora, Florida for the past 30+ years and dedicated her life to helping others. Celeste was a Navy captain, the head operating room nurse and cared for leprosy patients in the Carville, Louisiana leper colony.
Beloved mother of Diann Felber and her husband Michael; a cherished, loving grandmother to Justin, Jessica and her husband James and proud great-grandmother to Omar, Kaia and Myka. She leaves behind her dear sister, Madeline Dawson, along with cherished memories of her late siblings; Carroll Gelwicks, Angela Irelan, Eugene Gelwicks. Helen Crandell, Margaret Miller, Lorraine Grush, Cornelius Gelwicks, Joseph Gelwicks, Neil Gelwicks and Patricia Derr. Celeste’s affection extended to her numerous nieces, nephews and a wide circle of caring friends. Her love, sacrifice and devotion to her family defined her life, leaving a legacy of a woman who lived with character and integrity and epitomized the essence of a matriarch and a saint. Her impact will resonate through the lives she touched with her kindness and compassion.
A service of celebration will be held at the St. Patrick Church at 6803 Old Hwy 441 South in Mount Dora on Wednesday, April 3rd, at 9am. Interment will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 47 DePaul Street in Emmitsburg, Maryland on July 15, 2024 with more details to come. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
