Cecelia Tartaglione Bennett, 87, of Lancaster, passed away on Tuesday morning, June 7, 2011, at Lancaster General Hospital.

Born October 25, 1923, in Altoona, Pa., Cecelia spent her childhood in Pitcairn, Pa. She moved to Lancaster in 1952 with her husband Thomas Bennett, with whom she celebrated 52 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2002.

Cecelia was self-employed as a hairdresser for many years before joining the staff of White Hall Nursing Home (now Manor Care) as a beautician. She volunteered at St. Joseph Hospital and for many years was the gift shop manager at the former Osteopathic Hospital.  A lifelong Catholic, Toots was a member of St. Anthony of Padua and St. Anne Catholic Churches.

Cecilia enjoyed quilting with her husband and was famous among her friends and family for her meatballs and lasagna. She also liked to travel and visit her extended family throughout the country. In her later years she followed college football, with a special interest in the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.

However, Cecelia's greatest joy was her family. She and Tom raised seven sons: Thomas A., married to Karen Hobday Bennett of Lancaster; James J., married to Karen Goldstrom Bennett of Leola; John J., married to Lynda Herr Bennett of Lancaster; Steve P., married to Sharon Nagle Bennett of Naperville, Ill.; Timothy M., married to Barbara Hart Bennett of Mentor, Ohio; Patrick F., married to Evelyn Preston Bennett of Clover, S.C.; and Mark D. Bennett of Washington, D.C. Surviving in addition to her children are 22 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Cecelia was preceded in death by parents Geremia and Nettie Rogers Tartaglione, a sister, Frances Collins, and brother, Dominick Tartaglione.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 13, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 501 East Orange Street, Lancaster. Friends may greet members of the family during a viewing Sunday, June 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday, from 9 to 10 a.m at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 414 E. King St., Lancaster, PA 17602..

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Cecelia Bennett's memory can be made to the Lancaster Catholic High School Athletic Fund, 650 Juliette Ave., Lancaster, Pa., 17601, or the Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster, P.O. Box 104, Lancaster, Pa., 17608. To send an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-393-9661