Cecelia Mae Dove

Cecelia Mae White was born to Marguerite and Hopkins White in New Orleans, Louisiana, on November 13, 1934. An only child, she was named after St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians.

As a child, Cecelia Mae was naturally inquisitive and resolute. She took up piano at just five years of age. Even in the uber-competitive music mecca of New Orleans, Cecelia excelled. As a classically trained pianist, she could play everything from contemporary standards to Chopin. She performed at solos and concerts, Sunday mass and plays. Equally gifted academically, she attended Xavier Preparatory High School, and was accepted to study music Xavier University. After one year at Xavier, the call to nursing beckoned her, as it did her mother, and would later three of her daughters. She accepted a scholarship to St. Vincent College of Nursing in Los Angeles, where she graduated in 1956 with honors.

Cecelia returned to New Orleans to begin her nursing career at the famed Charity Hospital, the second oldest hospital in the United States. Her return to the Big Easy, however, was short-lived for good reason. Weeks after graduating from St. Vincent’s, she was invited by a family friend to the Johnson C. Smith University alumni square dance at Will Rogers Park. There, Cecelia was introduced to a lean, tall, arguably handsome U.S. Army veteran and urban planner who had also been invited to the dance and was a square dancer.

That evening, Donald and Cecelia spoke outwardly about careers and current events; they each pondered inwardly whether they had just met their soulmate. Before Cecelia returned to New Orleans, Donald invited her on a date to Lafayette Park. He bowed to a knee, drew a ring from his vest and asked Cecelia Mae to be his bride.

Cecelia and Don wed the next year on February 9, 1957. Their union would bear a coterie of eight children, twenty-three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Cecelia was hard-working and modest, tasteful and classy, yet never given to pretention. She tirelessly worked the night shift so she could see her children off to – and home from – school.

Cecelia preferred the warmth of her own home-cooked meals over the decadence of restaurants. She artfully presided over thousands of dinners rife with competing chatter of her growing brood. She could seamlessly pivot from mouth-watering fried chicken to savory roast beef.

Cecelia was both unambiguous and unapologetic because she knew right from wrong and expected nothing less from those she would touch. She was terse and considerate, but suffered no fools. Cecelia believed a person should find a principled path to dignity, rather than an unscrupulous route to riches. Her impeccable penmanship, honed under the watchful eyes of Catholic nuns, scribed thoughtful messages and meticulous journals.

Cecelia Mae White Dove passed away peacefully on December 29, 2020, with her husband of 63 years by her side. Her legacy will resonate for many generations to come. She leaves to cherish and celebrate her precious memory:

Her dedicated and loving husband, Donald A. Dove, children Angela Dove of San Jose, CA; Donald C. Dove (Gemma) of Washington; Monica Gilstrap (Mark) of Long Beach, CA; Celine Dove of Altadena, CA; Austin Dove (Sydney) of Los Angeles, CA; Cathlyn Dove-Cwiek (John) of Corona, CA; Dianna Dove-Diress (Woudneh) of Long Beach, CA; Jennifer Dove-Brown (Vincent) of Compton, CA. Grandchildren: Justina Schenk (Chris), Donald Y. Dove, Regina Dove, Macaria Dove, Desmond Dove, Monique Gilstrap, Matthew Gilstrap, Jalen Dove, Camille Dove, Austin Dove Jr., Nailah Howze, Justin Howze, Xavier Howze, Savana Cwiek, Houston Cwiek, Jonathan Diress, Joseph Diress, Aundenet Diress, Anthony Ramos (Brittany), Serena Ramos, Rickey McMorris, Vinyon Brown, Zia Brown. Great-Grandchildren: Mia Edwards, Ayden Ramos, Noa Schenk, Riley Ramos, and a host of family and friends.

Cecelia translates to “Lily in Heaven”. We are eternally grateful for the infinite love she gave us, and for the bouquet awaiting us in Heaven above.