Ramona "Mona" (Tabor) Cecere

Ramona "Mona" (Tabor) Cecere, passed away at Hospice of Hamilton on Thursday, September 11, 2008. Mona is now soaring with the eagles. She was born in Hamilton on June 14, 1931, the daughter of the late Samuel and Effie Mae Tabor. She later moved to the Dayton, Ohio area and graduated from the Ohio Soldiers an Sailors Orphan’s Home in Xenia in 1949. She mastered the piano at an early age an became the organist at the Home Chapel. Mona also accompanied the Home choir and dance band for many years. One of her proudest moments was when she had the opportunity to enter a music competition in the Dayton theater with Phil Spitalny, his wife Evelyn and their magic violin, and his all-girl orchestra, where she placed third in the competition. Mona received her license in cosmetology at the Home. She was extremely grateful for all the opportunities afforded to her. Upon graduation, Mona was a cosmetologist in Middletown for five years. She then returned to the Cincinnati area and studied at the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Mona deeply loved her Lord and Savior. She served as organist at various area churches. Mona became a member of Westwood Presyterian Church and was the organist there for almost 25 years. She also loved animals. Mona was employed with Talawanda Schools and Butler Metropolitan Housing Authority, where she retired. On August 29, 1958 she married Alberto Cecere.

Mona is survived by her husband, Alberto Cecere; a daughter, Gina (Jamie) Ward; and a son, Roberto (Maria) Cecere, all of Hamilton. She also leaves a sister, Mary Hyde; two grandsons, Christian and Sammy; sister and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews; and many close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral service will be held at Westwood United Presbyterian Church, 1068 Stahlheber Road, on Monday, September 15, 2008 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Joshua Long officiating. Burial will follow in Millville Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be made to the Ramona Cecere Memorial Fund, c/o Hamilton Community Foundation, 319 N. Third Street, Hamilton 45011. Ramona’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to the ICU staff at Ft. Hamilton Hospital and the staff at Hospice of Cincinnati for their wonderful care and concern.