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In memory of

Cecelya Veronica Morsby

Freeport, NY

August 10, 1950 - July 22, 2018

Aug 10, 1950 - Jul 22, 2018

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Cecelya V Morsby came onto this earth August 10, 1950. She was the oldest child of Charles Z and Olivia I (Haughton) Morsby who had immigrated from Jamaica West Indies.

As one of the first residents of the newly built Taft Housing Projects Cecelya had many friends to run, play and jump double dutch with, including her best friend Peggy from the neighboring King Towers who she met when she was just two years old.
Cecelya excelled in school and earned a scholarship to the Dalton private school. Cece along with her friend Barbara was one of just three black students in their class. They took Spanish and African dance class together. Cece worked her way up to captain the cheerleading team of which she was like the mother hen and she was on the yearbook committee. After graduating from Dalton in 1968, Cece attended Washington University.

Cecelya really came into her own at “Wash U” as a member of ABS she joined the protest that shut down the administration building as the students demanded more black students be admitted and better treatment for the existing students.
While at Wash U Cece forsook her long time High School sweetheart Tommy for the reputed “good kisser” in the other dorm Caspar. That kiss turned into Cecelya’s only child Monisha and a shotgun marriage to Jimmie Mapp in Wyoming. Cece made many friends and had fond memories of her St Louis years, but when her marriage ended she returned to the big apple with math degree and baby girl in tow.

Upon her return to NYC Cecelya went to work as a teacher at Children’s World Daycare Center and she also returned to school to earn her Master’s Degree in Math Education. She may have been a single parent, but her village was strong and she didn’t let that stop her from achieving her goals.

Once she realized her child was expensive she took a job as a buyer at JC Penney’s. Though she was away from campus, her activism didn’t stop. She joined the Brooklyn Young Adult Chapter of the NANBPWC Inc. where she was the treasurer. As these ladies matured, they became concerned they would lose their identity and independence if they were absorbed into the Adult Club, so they started their own chapter and Cecelya was a charter member of the Kings County Club where she met like-minded women that were committed to giving back and uplifting the community. As a club they won numerous regional and national accolades, these ladies were great. Along with Treasurer and Financial Secretary positions, Cecelya also worked closely with the Kings County Youth Club. She also ran for and was elected the National Financial Secretary.

Cele briefly worked at Paramount Pictures after which she became the Executive Director of New Movement Daycare Center. In this capacity she worked closely with the parents, teachers and students to create an open and supportive community. She came in on weekends to help volunteers clean up and paint murals for the children. She put her Spanish schooling to use and taught English as a second language to the non-English speaking parents. After New Movement, Cecelya landed a job with the Chevrolet division of General Motors; this is the company from which she would retire.

At Chevy Cele did well, earning several promotions and winning numerous contests as a District Sales Manager. Cele once again left NY, this time at the behest of her job, winding up in Southfield, MI, Fishkill, NY, Bergenfield, NJ and finally Freeport, NY where she transitioned the morning of July 22, 2018.

Cele’s sales success took her all around the globe, she visited Japan, Italy, Paris, Monaco, Spain, Morocco, Mexico, Greece, Bahamas and of course Jamaica.

Though the self-proclaimed Miss Passion never remarried, she had no shortage of gentlemen callers due to her big beautiful eyes, gorgeous smile, cutting wit, intelligence and prowess on the dance floor. Everywhere Cele went she made numerous friends as people got to know this fun loving woman that loved music, dance, entertaining (numerous thanksgivings were hosted at her homes), reading, contemporary art, watching movies and much more. She prided herself on being a woman of her word and woe to those that made empty promises. Her mantra was those who know better, do better.
She was a loyal and devoted daughter, mother, mother-in-law and aunt. To honor her mother after her passing Cele rededicated herself to her childhood church Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist, she once again attended regularly, served as Treasurer on the board and became a deaconess.

Cecelya Veronica Morsby impacted all who met her and she leaves behind to cherish her memory:
her loving and doting daughters Monisha and Tamika (Humphreys) Mapp, nephew and caretaker CJ Morsby, best friend Peggy Cole, goddaughter Renee (Jones) Airhuoyo, brother Amos, club sisters, church members and numerous friends and family.

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