Celia A. Dodge

Celia A. Dodge

On Friday afternoon, January 12th, 2024, Celia Ann (nee Adornato) Dodge passed away unexpectedly but peacefully due to complications related to congestive heart failure.

She was the loving wife and best friend to Steve for 55 years, caring mother to Brian (Courtney) and Sam (Hannah), and devoted grandmother to Randal and Ricky (Brian).

Celia was born on December 3rd, 1945, to Lorenzo and Marianne (nee DiPiazza) Adornato. She grew up in Riverwest on Clarke St., upstairs from her uncle and cousins, next door to her grandparents, and a streetcar ride away from even more family. She graduated from Riverside High School, and had fond memories of cheerleading, track and field, and many friendships that continued through years of class reunions and gatherings.

Celia’s father cooked weekly spaghetti dinners at Summerfield United Methodist Church on Juneau Ave, and one Saturday night he tried to play matchmaker after a hard-working and bright young man named Steve helped prepare 100 lbs. of pasta for dinner. He said, “You should meet my daughter, Celia!”, not knowing that later that evening Celia and Steve would meet, share a meal, and spark a love and partnership that would last for many decades.

She and Steve were married in August 1969 – they moved to the East Side to a small apartment with few windows, which led to many walks together around the neighborhood. Steve took college classes during the day and worked in the evenings, and Celia worked at a stock brokerage firm downtown where she was introduced to punch card computer technology and spending hours on the phone with brokers at the NYSE.

They began attending Elmbrook Church in the early 1970’s, and spent many of the following 50 years being involved and volunteering with the high school ministry, drama productions, fellowship ministries, bible studies, community and outreach events, family group trips, summer camps, Harvest Fest, Feed My Sheep food ministry, and anywhere else they could lend a hand. They made so many life-long friends and created so many wonderful memories, too numerous to count, and were thankful for each one.

In 1990 they were blessed with building a family home in the Springdale Estates neighborhood. Celia loved to connect with families that lived nearby, whether or not they had kids Brian or Sam’s age. Even when beloved people moved away, the bittersweet feeling was replaced by the joy of meeting new residents and sharing their lives together. The whole family made so many great memories over the nearly 30 years on the Foxwood Lane half moon.

While Celia’s sons were in school, she always looked for opportunities to volunteer and help out, first while Brian attended MPS’s Golda Meir School, and again once both boys were in the Pewaukee School District. Whether it was helping in the classroom or organizing an event, she supported her kids and the community around them. She was delighted that both boys were involved with Model United Nations in high school and could gain a more global viewpoint, so

she volunteered to chaperone trips to conferences near and far – Iowa, Illinois, Virginia, Washington DC, and a trip to NYC and the United Nations building.

When long-time friend and new senior pastor for Elmbrook Church, Mel Lawrenz, asked Celia if she wanted to work for him on staff in 2000, she leaped at the opportunity. She enjoyed the work, was excited to help people, and had so much fun with everyone in the office over the following 10 years. In 2004 when Elmbrook’s International Center began, she used her whole skillset to coordinate every last detail so the program ran smoothly. The dozens of ministry leaders from almost 40 countries called her “Mama Cel” as she became their temporary shepherd, organizing everything from obtaining travel visas, finding housing, and planning fun cultural and food experiences around Milwaukee.

Once they were empty-nesters, Celia and Steve didn’t sit down and relax; they kept looking for adventure, near and far. One trip to Madison’s Canoecopia Expo led them on a journey to build a 16-foot tandem kayak kit in their garage, a vessel they calmly paddled around many southeastern Wisconsin lakes on warm summer days. They spent time as snowbirds in Florida and Texas, visiting family and enjoying walks on the beach and seafood dinners while listening to the waves. Celia enjoyed searching for fun and unique events that they could attend in Milwaukee, or festivals around Wisconsin that they could travel to. Anniversary trips to Door County and Lake Geneva were cherished times, as well as traveling to Texas and Oklahoma to spend time with their grandsons.

There were a few threads that ran throughout Celia’s life, but they are all tied to her overwhelming and all-encompassing love – for her family, her friends, her community, and her love for Jesus. She woke up everyday hoping to bring joy and support to those around her, with a bright smile and a warm heart, with kindness and earnestness. This was true whether someone had known her for years or had met her just once.

She remained curious about life, people, and experiences so she could learn as much as possible. She was always excited to engage with others so they could bond, support each other, and together grow more. And she stayed dedicated to studying and understanding more about God’s wisdom, so she could be a good and faithful servant.

She will be so greatly missed, but we take comfort knowing that she is now singing and dancing in the Heavenly choirs, with her father by her side and her mother playing the organ.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024 at Elmbrook Church, 777 South Barker Road, Brookfield, Wisconsin  from 12:00 PM until the time of Service at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Celia Dodge to James Place at https://jamesplacewi.org/ or to the Elmbrook Church Harvest Fund at https://www.elmbrook.org/giving/.

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