Celestine A. (Leone) Specht, 97, formerly of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on Wednesday May 6, 2009 at Elderwood Health Care at Oakwood in Williamsville, NY. Born in Cerda, Sicily, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Pietro and Cosima (Zabaldo) Leone.

Celestine came to the Niagara Fall area as a child with her family. On October 2, 1931 she married Raymond R. Specht in Niagara Falls, NY. Mr. Specht predeceased her on November 3, 1963. During the 1940's, she worked as a waitress at the former Demas Tea Room on Main Street in Niagara Falls. She then worked at the former Harvey & Carey drug store on Main Street in Niagara Falls during the 1950's and later as a pharmacy technician at the former Prescription Lab on Cedar Avenue in Niagara Falls during the 1960's and 1970's. During the 1970's Celestine also worked as a banquet hostess at the former Century Club in Niagara Falls. In her leisure, she enjoyed gardening and bowling in local bowling leagues. Most importantly, Celestine enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Mrs. Specht is survived by her three children; June (Dr. Louis) Barone of Margate, FL, Raymond P. (late Joyce) Specht of Rochester, NY, and Marianne (Ronald) Harkins of Amherst, NY; twelve grandchildren, twenty eight great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. She was also predeceased by two sisters Mary (late Donald) Daly, Anna (late Herman) Labuzetta and one brother Dr. Dominic (late Kay) Leone.

Friends may call on Friday from 3 – 7 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will be held Saturday May 9th at 10 AM. Interment will be held in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. Memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, WNY Affiliate, PO Box 5172, Buffalo NY 14240.