Despite her love of reading, she was never fond of formalized education, so when she happily graduated from Hazleton High School in 1956, she considered herself officially finished with school. Yet a few years later, her mother encouraged her to further her education and she obediently, albeit reluctantly, complied. Surprisingly, she thoroughly enjoyed this advanced education that led her to become a Surgical Technologist. Celeste proudly performed this work in operating rooms for years prior to leaving to raise her children. She would later return to the health care field in administrative roles at Hazleton St. Joseph’s Hospital where both patients and co-workers consistently valued and praised her compassionate demeanor and empathetic nature. After leaving the health care field, she soon became restless and accepted a position at Wendy’s because she loved interacting with others.

A native of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, she spent her retirement years in Florida where she experienced an active life full of daily adventures near the place that brought her endless joy—the ocean. Discovering a newfound interest in the sport of Chair Volleyball with her new friends at the Largo Recreation Center also brought her great pleasure and endless laughter. She also appreciated simple pleasures like a good cup of tea, buttered toast, and any type of chocolate dessert. Appreciating nature was equally as satisfying. Her last three years were filled with the beauty of palm trees, tropical flowers, walks on the beach, drives along the coast, glorious sunsets, and discovering weeping willow tree lined streets. She found gazing at the sky as storm clouds rolled in over the ocean and the subsequent powerful display of lightning strikes and roaring thunder to be both awe-inspiring and exhilarating. She much-preferred stormy skies over sunny, cloudless days. Watching the endless loop of boat traffic in Clearwater Beach was another favorite amusement. The Little Toot, Calypso Queen, shark boat, and pirate ship were constant companions as she watched them from her beloved powder blue painted bedroom.

Known affectionately by many as Mama Celeste, she considered the role of mother her greatest honor. She is survived by her adoring children Celeste V. Kucinski (partner Mark Lewandowski) Clearwater Beach, FL.; Marlon Kucinski, Clearwater Beach, FL; Dr. Gina Whalen (husband Travis Williams), Orwigsburg, PA.; Lenny Kucinski (wife Bobbi), St. Pete’s Beach, FL; and grandsons Zack Whalen, Pensacola, FL; and Leo Kucinski, St. Pete’s Beach, FL, and brother Victor Carbe, Hazleton, PA. She is preceded in death by ex-husband Leonard Kucinski, her grandson Israel Whalen, and brother Raymond Carbe.
It is important to note that Celeste never took herself too seriously and vehemently promised her children that she had no regrets in her life. And as Celeste would often say, “That’s the story!”.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Full Gospel Fellowship Church, Hazleton, PA on a date to be determined in the near future. It will also be live-streamed for those who are unable to attend in-person. To be notified about the service date and time, contact her daughter Celeste at 570-578-2157.