Obituary of Charlotte R. Cessato

Charlotte R. (DeMarco) Cessato, 78, passed away suddenly on May 25, 2023, following a brief illness. A lifelong resident of Hammonton, NJ, Cessato graduated from Hammonton High School (HHS) in 1963. Three years later, she was greatly honored by being named Miss Hammonton Centennial 1966. The next year, she graduated from Glassboro State College (later Rowan University) and, during that June, she married William J. "Bill" Cessato – her beloved husband of 41 years who died in 2008. Cessato also began her teaching career in the Hammonton public school system. She taught classes related to social studies for 33 years before her retirement from HHS in 2000. She was selected as Teacher of the Year for the 1991- 1992 school year. Former students will remember Cessato for her work as an educator in the classroom, as well as for her leadership in extracurricular activities. She served as the cheerleading coach and advised the Key Club student organization. In particular, she was extremely proud of her service as the instructor of the pom-pom section of the award-winning HHS band. She remembered with fondness chaperoning class trips and school events, traveling for band competitions, and being a part of the school community as the band and the football team were each beginning to achieve renown. Cessato was active in church life. For many years, she walked with the statue of St. Anthony of Padua during the annual procession in town on the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. She greatly valued her friendships at St. Anthony of Padua Church (St. Mary of Mount Carmel Parish) and treasured collaborating on various church-related activities. She volunteered on the parish council, as a lector, and as a Eucharistic minister, and she truly enjoyed working with children and other former teachers for the God's Little Angels program. Cessato was the oldest daughter of the late Anthony J. and Mary S. (Verrech) DeMarco. She is survived by her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter Melissa, Stefano, and Victoria Costanzi and her son Bill Cessato; her sisters and brothers-in-law Anita and Paul Hoffman and MaryAnn and Hank Rizzotte; her aunts Stella Daniello, Gladys Tomasella, and Joan Fulginiti; and her brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Thomas Cessato, and John and MaryAnn Cessato. Also, surviving are beloved nieces and nephews, close friends, and many cousins. She very much loved her dog Teddy, a constant companion for several years. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 31, at 11 AM, at St. Anthony of Padua RC Church (285 Route 206, Hammonton). A visitation will be held the same day from 9:30 AM to 11 AM, also at St. Anthony. The Mass will be followed by entombment at Oak Grove Cemetery in Hammonton. In lieu of flowers or food, memorial donations may be sent to Georgetown University (directed to support financial aid), Office of Gift Administration,
2115 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC, 20007, or St. Anthony of Padua Church, c/o St. Mary of Mount Carmel Parish, 226 French Street, Hammonton, NJ, 08037.