Cecelia Scellick

Cecelia Theresa Scellick, 93, passed away Sept. 7, 2023 in Ephrata, Wash., at the Garden Oasis facility due to complications of COVID-19. Cecilia was born in Red Lake Falls, Minn., to Albert and Clara Reopelle on June 9, 1930.

During the war years, the family moved to Moxee and then settled in Tacoma. That is where she met Earl Scellick whose sister, Maxine, worked in a small store with Cecelia. After a meeting with her father, Albert, Earl assured him that any children would be raised as Catholics. The date was then set for Nov. 26, 1947. A marriage that lasted 73 years until Earl’s death in March 2021.

A few years after moving to Ephrata in 1948, Earl bought a Mobil service station and later a Texaco station. Cecelia kept books for the business. Later she started a family taxi service. Driving son Steve to music lessons, brother Mike to basketball practice, the sisters Diana and Rene to dance classes. And no one ever tipped her.

When the hands of the clock hit 9 a.m., she had rugs shaken out, hardwood floors buffed, dishes done and carpets vacuumed. She was immaculate in appearance and so were her children as they headed to Sunday Mass at St. Rose of Lima where she had been a member for 75 years.

For several years, she was a member of a bowling league with area friends. Cecelia also worked at the JC Penney company and she enjoyed her time working at Bill’s Pills and Mary’s Gifts for Bill and Mary Wallace. When the children were grown, she worked picking apples during harvest for their friends, the Pheasants. After purchasing a Fifth wheel, she and Earl would travel around the county with the Pheasants.

A funeral mass will be held Friday, Sept. 15, at 11 a.m. with a rosary Thursday Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church.

She was preceded in death by her son, Patrick John, and husband Earl.

Arrangements are under the care of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata, Wash. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.nicolesfuneralhome.com.