Obituary of Martha Eleanor Ceriani

Martha Eleanor (Ford) Ceriani, age 87, passed away peacefully at home in San Diego, surrounded by family on August 13, 2021.

Martha was born and raised in Jasper, Alabama. In 1951, she graduated from Walker County High School as Salutatorian, voted Wittiest in her class. In 1955, she graduated from Huntingdon College and began her career as a hospital based social worker in Jacksonville, Florida.

She married Joseph L. Ceriani, her loving husband of 40 years in 1959 and they settled in Delaware County, PA where they raised 2 children. During her 25 years in Wallingford, she was an active member of Old Union Methodist Church and worked part-time at Chester Care. She was an avid and knowledgeable sports fan (especially University of Alabama football). She also loved to play duplicate bridge, read Agatha Christie mysteries and entertain friends at home.

After she was widowed in 1997, she retired to San Diego to join her children. She devoted herself to her grandchildren in ways that cannot be adequately expressed. They adored her as did all of their friends that referred to her as Grandmom Martha. During this time, she was an active member of Kensington Community Church and enjoyed attending concerts and plays with her many new friends.

Everyone that knew her agreed she was thoughtful, loving and kind. She was quick to laugh, slow to anger and was never too busy to help friends and neighbors in need. She exuded southern charm and hospitality. In her final years of declining health, she bravely faced all the challenges presented to her and was grateful to be able to stay at home with her family. She loved the quote by Meister Eckhart, “If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice.”

She is pre-deceased by her parents Lawrence Ford and Juanita Walker and her husband Joseph Ceriani.

She is survived by:
Daughter - Dr. Carol Ceriani
Son - Stephen Ceriani and Daughter in Law - Michelle Ceriani
Grandchildren - Scott Wais, Brittany Wais, Stephanie Ceriani, Madison Ceriani
Brother - Samuel B. Ford
Niece - Linda Glassett
Nephews - Dr. Sam Welch, Ernie Welch, Paul Malnati, Ed Malnati and many spouses, great nieces and nephews.

Visitation - Saturday, August 28th from 9:30-10:30am at Minshall Shropshire-Bleyler Funeral Home, Ltd., Middletown (Rte. #352) & Knowlton Rds., Middletown Twp., PA Media 19063.

Service and Interment - Media Cemetery - Private