Celeste Louisa Cottingham passed into His infinite glory on Saturday, June 10, 2023 in the arms of her loving children. Celeste truly loved God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength. She exemplified Christ’s life of service, love, and sacrifice with her commitment to her faith, family, and neighbors. She always saw the Glory of God in the amazing things accomplished by mankind and the beauty and wonder of creation.
Celeste was born in El Paso and raised in various parts of Texas by her parents, Frank and Alberta Kempf. During her childhood, Celeste developed a passion for singing which led her to join the Melody Maids, an all-girl singing group from Beaumont, TX that toured the world from 1942 to 1972.
Celeste met and fell in love with George Cottingham at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. They married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe and eventually settled in southwest Houston near Corpus Christi Catholic Church where they raised and nurtured eight children into the Catholic faith. Celeste worked for the Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston for many years as a teacher and a librarian and taught Religious Education to countless students in Corpus Christi Parish. She was also a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the parish Women’s Guild, the Altar Society, and the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. When Celeste was not working or volunteering at the church, nothing made her happier than spending time with her children and many grandchildren. She could often be found with them at the Houston Children’s Museum or on the beaches of Galveston Island where the family spent summer vacations. Celeste and George were married for 53 years and shared many happy memories filled with love and family.
Celeste was preceded in death by her first born infant son George, her devoted husband, her parents, her brother Dwight Snyder, and her sister, Virginia Miller. She is survived by her brother, Mike Kempf. She also leaves behind eight surviving children and their families, including seventeen grandchildren: Lisa and Dave Edwards, their daughters Jennifer Leigh (spouse Will) and Holly Edwards; Dr. Mark and Heather Cottingham, their children Sarah Cottingham, Rachel Neff (spouse Nick), and Benjamin Cottingham; Ceil and Rob Borgeson, children Robert (spouse Kelsey), Jacob (spouse Nicole), Ryan Borgeson (spouse Beini), and Lauren Sultimeier (spouse Nathan); Eric Cottingham; Mary Cottingham and her partner, Mary Hamill; Chuck and Mary Beth Cottingham, and their daughters, Gretchen and Grace Cottingham; John and Jacqueline Cottingham, and their children Austin, Logan, Zachary, and Natalie Cottingham; and Laura Cottingham and her children, Berry and Allison Ansted. Celeste also has twelve great-grandchildren: Amorie and Ian De Leon; Nolan and Nash Neff; Tristan, Coen, Thea, and Zoe Sultimeier; and Leif, Jude, Isla, and Novi Borgeson; the number of which is still growing.
The family will receive friends at 5 pm, June 23, 2023 at the Grand Chapel of Forest Park Lawndale at 6900 Lawndale St, Houston, TX. 77023, with a Rosary to be recited at 6:30 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held at 11 am, June 24, 2023 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 9900 Stella Link Rd, Houston, TX. 77025, with the burial to follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.
The family is especially grateful to the staff of Nurses on Wheels Hospice and to the Carmelite Sisters and staff of the Mount Carmel Home, both in Corpus Christi, Texas; to Celeste’s caregivers; and for the special care provided to Celeste by Mary Cottingham and Mary Hamill over these last several years. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Friends of Nurses on Wheels Hospice (1102 3rd Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78404), the Corpus Christi Catholic School Library in Houston, or a charitable organization of your choice.
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