Cecelia Saviano Miranda, aged 99, died on January 25, 2025. She was diminutive in stature, but gifted with an incredible strength, cheating death several times in her last decade of life, and outliving all her contemporaries. Cecelia, also known as "Tootie" by her family, was a loving wife, a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her wit and sense of humor remained ever-present even in her last days, with quips that always caused a chuckle.

Born on July 8, 1925, in her home in Tuckahoe, N.Y., to Joseph and Olivia Saviano, she and her three siblings enjoyed a happy childhood at 53 Circuit Avenue. She attended school in Eastchester, NY, was a good student, a dancer, and basketball player. By the age of 10, her penchant for cleanliness became apparent, and she began cleaning the 7-room house in which her family lived from top to bottom all by herself, establishing a skill that would be dominant for the rest of her life. She prided herself on keeping an immaculate home, never failing an unannounced white glove test.

Cecelia's faith was a very important part of her life. As teenagers, she and her sister Olivia ("Dolly") became very involved in their neighborhood parish, the Church of the Assumption. Under the guidance of their beloved Father Blake, her Catholic faith deepened, and an abiding devotion to Our Lady became an anchor for the remainder of her life. From the age of 11, until the day she died, Cecelia wore the Miraculous Medal around her neck. She would regularly say Novenas whenever prayers seemed necessary, so much so that her children's friends who learned of this power would ask her to say one on their behalf when an important exam or a sought-after high school prom date couldn't be left to chance!

After graduating from high school, Cecelia studied at Paine Hall in NYC to become a Medical Record Librarian, and at age 17, she became the youngest MRL at the esteemed Hospital for Special Surgery also in NYC. She excelled in this role and would continue there for over a decade, managing a staff and staying on part-time for a couple of years after her children were born.

After WWII ended, as many soldiers came home, Fr. Blake created a 20's/30's club at the Church to help his young parishioners meet and socialize. And that is where Cecelia met the love of her life, Henry A. Miranda, Jr, who she married in 1950. They were blessed with two children to whom they were both completely devoted: Henry P. (Rick) born in 1953, and Martha Jean in 1955.

Together, Cecelia and Henry (AKA Tootie and Hank) enjoyed a happy marriage, living in New York for several years, a two-year stint in El Paso, TX, and finally landing in New England in 1962, where they would remain. They resided in Bedford MA for over 60 years in the house that Henry designed. Cecelia was a wonderful homemaker, and despite her aversion to cooking, she managed to execute enough recipes to entertain family feasts and neighborhood gatherings frequently and lovingly. In later years, she enjoyed bowling, singing in church choirs and choral groups, playing bridge, and volunteering at Emerson Hospital for over 25 years. She loved the Celtics and the Sox, did at least one crossword puzzle and Sudoku every day into her 90's, played solitaire feverishly and travelled extensively throughout Europe and the US with Henry at her side. She loved spending time with her family, and reveled in establishing close relationships with each of her 5 grandchildren. She used to tell people that she had a wonderful, "charmed" life, and, oh how she was she right! We will miss her every day until we meet again.

Cecelia was predeceased by her beloved husband, Henry A. Miranda, Jr., on February 25, 2024, after 73 years of marriage and her siblings, Olivia "Dolly" S. McGinness, Joseph Saviano Jr. and Carol S. Leone. She leaves behind her son, Henry P. (Rick) Miranda and wife Jeanne of Fort Collins, CO; her daughter, Martha M. Liquori and husband Stephen of South Hamilton, MA; grandchildren Daniel L. Miranda (and wife Christina) of Basking Ridge, NJ; Christopher Liquori of Kittery, Maine; Maria Miranda (and husband Marcus Pobloske) of Minneapolis MN; Joseph Miranda of Fort Collins, CO; and Peter Liquori of Kittery Point, ME. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Cecelia C. Miranda and Leo H. Miranda of Basking Ridge NJ; Eleanor J. Pobloske and Henry A. Pobloske of Minneapolis MN.

The family is so grateful for the many caregivers who provided companionship and love during the last many months of Cecelia's life. Their efforts enriched her days in so many important ways.

Calling hours for Cecelia will be held at the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, MA. on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, 90 Concord Rd., Bedford, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Alzheimer's Association at alz.org or to the Cecelia S. Miranda and Henry A. Miranda Jr. Mathematics Fellowship at Colorado State University, by contacting Ginger Morehouse, Director of Development for Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO to arrange a gift: ginger.morehouse@colostate.edu