Cecilia Andrews DeSalvo

Cecilia Andrews DeSalvo, 86, of Center Ridge, Ark., passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2016, in Morrilton. She was born Nov. 15, 1929, in Center Ridge, Ark., a daughter of the late Tony and Mary Lanni Andrews. Cecilia married the love of her life 66 years ago, and they raised seven daughters together. Their spouses became her sons, and she often treated them better than her daughters, or so her daughters would tease her. Her greatest joy was taking care of and spending time with her family. She was happiest when she had all of her children's feet under her dinner table. Some of the fondest memories of her grandchildren are of Nonna fixing them coffee milk and white spaghetti. She never met a stranger and made "special" friends wherever she went. She was loved by many and had a gift of giving of herself that she shared with anyone who needed her special kind of love. Special thanks to the staff from Hospice Home Care and Brookridge Nursing Home who took excellent care of and loved her, and to Father Silvio D`Ostilio for his many years of friendship and spiritual guidance. Survivors include her husband, Richard DeSalvo of Center Ridge; daughters and sons-in law: Jane and Howard Yates and Laura and Edward Moore all of Morrilton, Ellen Johnston of Center Ridge, Terri and Rickey George and Joelle and Todd Lowder, all of Russellville, Celeste and Ray Bailey and Natalie and Gary Beck, all of Conway; siblings, John and Shirley Andrews and Raymond Andrews, all of Center Ridge and Bernice Charton of Morrilton; sister-in-law, Anne Andrews of Center Ridge; 21 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Alicia Carole and Mary Cecilia DeSalvo; son-in-law, Lynn Batchelor; grandson, Joseph Batchelor; siblings: Frank Andrews, Rose Freyaldenhoven, Lucy Freyaldenhoven, Grace Gunderman, Teresa DeSalvo, Ed Andrews, and George Andrews. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Sacred Heart School Endowment in Morrilton, Ark., St. Joseph Church in Center Ridge, Ark., St. Joseph School Endowment Anthony Joseph Batchelor Current Needs Fund in Conway, Ark. or www.theajbfoundation.org (non-profit foundation established in memory of Joseph Batchelor, grandson, whose dream it was to start a business and donate profits to Alzheimer's research). Visitation will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morrilton, Ark. at 5 p.m., Monday, June 20 with Rosary following at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Church in Center Ridge, Ark. on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 2 p.m. with Father Silvio D`Ostilio celebrating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. Pallbearers will be Richie Tanner, Kyle Johnston, Frankey Clayton, Josh Moore, James Batchelor, Wade Beck, Tyler Loughridge, Zachary Needham, and Paul David Charton. Online guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net.