Cecilia "Cele" Mary Pane, RN
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Cecilia's obituary
Cecilia Mary (Branz) Pane
February 23, 1938 – December 3, 2025
Cecilia Mary Pane, a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother and great-grandmother, accomplished nurse, and gifted musician, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2025, at the age of 87.
Born on February 23, 1938, in Freeland, Pennsylvania, Cecilia carried with her a deep sense of family, faith, and service throughout her life. She later moved to New York, where she met the love of her life, Dr. Anthony J. Pane. They shared 63 wonderful years of marriage, rooted in unwavering devotion, prayer, and love.
Cecilia and Anthony eventually settled in Montclair, New Jersey, where she lovingly raised their seven children, creating a home filled with warmth, music, faith, and a deep sense of safety and support. Above all else, Cecilia loved her family beyond measure and made certain that each of her children always felt protected, encouraged, and unconditionally loved.
A woman of many talents, Cecilia was an accomplished pianist who found great joy in music. She especially loved playing “Beautiful Dreamer,” her wedding song, as well as church hymns, Christmas music, and anything by Elvis Presley. Music was one of the many ways she expressed love and brought comfort to those around her.
Professionally, Cecilia was a dedicated and respected nurse, practicing at the prestigious Cornell Hospital and later at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, where her compassion and professionalism left a lasting impact on colleagues and patients alike.
Cecilia also loved to travel and cherished the memories made on trips with family to many special places, including the Grand Canyon, Graceland, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, and New York.
Faith was the cornerstone of Cecilia’s life. She and her beloved husband, Anthony, prayed the Rosary together every night throughout their 63 years of marriage. Their prayers always included family and friends, the clergy, the saints in heaven, the sick and dying, and all those in need—especially those for whom no one else prayed for. This quiet, faithful devotion was a defining part of the life they shared.
Cecilia is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Anthony J. Pane, and her children:
Dr. Maria Pane, married to Bill Smith, and their son John Paul A. Smith
Christina Pane Deyo, married to Bob Deyo, and their children Grace, Caroline, Pauline, Becca, Gemma, Michael, and grandchildren Jed, Winnie, and Eli
Joseph Pane, married to Dan Wady
Teresa Pane loving daughter and personal caregiver to Cecilia and Anthony
Anthony Pane, married to Julianna Polo-Pane
Frank Pane, married to Heather Pane, and their sons Heath and Nicolas
Celena Pane Budzakoski, married to Zoran Budzakoski, and their son Alex
She has 2 living brothers Joseph and Francis Branz and many nieces and nephews in the Pane and Branz families.
Cecilia has left a lasting legacy of love, faith, music, and devotion to family. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all who were blessed to know her.
“Be not afraid, I go before you always; Come, follow Me, and I will give you rest.”
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Cecilia Pane may be made to St. Cecilia Parish Fund, c/o the Parish Office, Church Street Rockaway, New Jersey.
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