The family of Celia Rita Victoria Zarcone announce the eternal graduation of Celia on September 5th, 2024, at the age of 87 in Peoria, AZ.

Celia was born February 12th, 1937, in Detroit Michigan. She was the third and last daughter of Lucia “Lucille” Marian Stivali and Vincent James Zarcone. Her sisters are Antonia “Toni” (Frank) Minutti and Amalia “Molly” (Tom) Lisandrelli of Frankfort, NY. She and her sisters are the 2nd generation born in the USA. Her mother’s side was from Norma, near Rome as well as Caserta near Napoli, Italy, and her Father’s side from Bagheria, Palermo, Sicily.

At age 10 she and her sisters tragically lost their father due to a stroke and heart attack. The family moved in with her maternal grandparents in Utica, NY. Celia was known by the nickname of “Skeeze” for most of her life. She loved to play basketball, roller skate and create art in her youth. Her stepfather, Dominic Perritano, came into her life around 1950 and became grandpa to her children.

Celia was a graduate in 1955 of Utica Catholic Academy. After high school, she served in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1960. While in the USAF, she met Donald Mulkins, whom she married on June 5th, 1960, in Don’s hometown of Canton, IL. They settled in Minneapolis, MN, and later moved to a warmer climate in Scottsdale AZ. Don and Celia had four children: Marilyn (Bruce) Light of Lehi, UT, Karen Mulkins of Houston, TX, Jim Mulkins of Peoria, AZ, and Kristin (Travis) Cooke of Davidson, NC. Celia loved horseback riding on her horse “Czar”. She was a seamstress, a good bowler and enjoyed competing on teams in Arizona and winning trophies.

Following her divorce from Don in 1971, Celia obtained a criminal justice degree and served many years as a police dispatcher with the Scottsdale and Paradise Valley police departments. It was during this time she met Mesa police officer Dennis Bower, and they were married in May 1975. Together in the early 1980’s they ran an arcade side business at the height of the video game craze. They had no children together but enjoyed spending time with Celia’s children and Dennis’ children from a previous marriage. Celia and Dennis were later divorced in 1988.

In 1999, she retired to Melbourne Beach, Florida, where she had a home on the beach, and a home inland further away from hurricanes as well. She loved spending time on the beach with her sisters and extended family. Her dog Bella was her constant companion and much loved by her.

Celia was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather, by both her husbands, and by her sister Toni. Celia is survived by her sister Molly, her four children, 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Per her wishes, she will be cremated without service.

In lieu of flowers, please perform a kind act of service for someone. We are all going through difficult times and could use a kind word, a smile or a gesture of encouragement.

To contact the family, contact Marilyn Mulkins Light at this email:  BlueSkyTalker@gmail.com

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