Jan 23, 2014

Loving daughter and sister

Celine Benecia Loether, 16, of Eighty Four, passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2014, at home with her family and dear friend, Abby, by her side, after a long and courageous battle following complications from a bone marrow transplant in May 2013 because of sickle cell disease.

She was born April 3, 1997, in Bois Blanc, Haiti, and was sustained in life by cherished friend, Pastor V. Pierre, until her loving family brought her home in July 1997.

She was the beloved daughter of David J. and Andrea M. Loether; cherished sister of Jeremy and wife Erin Loether, Emily and husband Sean Hutchins and Grant and wife Nicole Loether; dear granddaughter of Vida Potter; loving niece of Aunt Wendy, Aunt Vida, Uncle Scott and Aunt Susan; and six nieces and nephews, Ben and Gracie Loether, Payton and Crosby Hutchins, Wyatt Strickland and Declan Loether.

She was welcomed into Heaven by her dear sister, Lindsay N. Loether; grandfather Andrew N. Potter; and dear family member, Sue L. Hutchins.

Celine experienced a lot of living in her 16 years. She experienced her seventh birthday with Make-A-Wish in Orlando, Fla., at Disney World. She had a joy for traveling with family near and far from the beaches in Hawaii, swimming with dolphins in Jamaica, summers at the beach, cruising in the Caribbean, the far reaches of Key West, Fla., and the wilds of Alaska.

She was an excellent swimmer with a love of glitz, glamor and shoes. Her two dogs, Cooper and Nilla, never left her side including visits to the hospital and were with her until the very end.

Many special friends meant the world to her. Jackie Zeni provided loving educational and personal support throughout her entire life. Cathy Campese and Rachel Lauer were selflessly devoted nurse practitioners who provided more than medical support. Nicole Steele provided comforting music and friendship. The nursing staff of 9B and the PICU at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and her tireless and passionate physicians of BMT, Dr. Krish, Dr. Goyal, Dr. Mark and Dr. Randy, and all of the attending physicians from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit provided outstanding care. Celine’s family was grateful to Amanda for reasons only she can understand. The Central Blood Bank and thousands of donors that kept Celine alive.

Celine’s vibrance, enduring spirit and bravery will be part of our lives forever.

Services are private and have been entrusted to Cremation & Funeral Care, 3287 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 15317, 724-260-5546.

Memorial contributions may be made in Celine’s memory to Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation of Pittsburgh, 226 Paul Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15211.

Please view and sign the family’s guest book at www.cremationfuneralcare.com.