Thelma Violet Cecil

Thelma Violet Cecil, 74, of New Philadelphia, died Saturday, Mar. 12, 2011, in her home following a hard-fought battle with lung cancer.

Born Apr. 6, 1936 in Dennison, she was a daughter of the late Raymond and Thelma Barr Swauger. Violet, as she was most often known, attended school in Dennison, and, on Oct. 22, 1965, married Donald E, Cecil. The couple owned and operated the Driftwood Motel & Gift Shop at New Philadelphia.

Violet was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and was a member of the Broadway United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia. Some of her favorite pastimes were floral arranging, cooking and baking. No one could come to Violet's home without having something to eat. In the late 1960's, when Violet's son's little league team needed new uniforms, she baked and sold bread for weeks in order to raise enough money for their purchase. She considered everyone whom she met a friend.

Survivors include three daughters, Thelma (Bruce) Hostetler of Dennison, Kerry (David) Sekman of Palm Bay, FL, and Kelly Smith of Dover; two sons, Donny (Barb) Cecil of Alliance, and Dale Cecil of Massillon; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; brother, Harold (Katherine) Swauger of New Philadelphia; several nieces and nephews, including two nephews who were especially close, John Gervasi of CA, and Jacob Swauger of NC; dear friend, who was like a sister to Violet, Dorothy (Jim) Williams: friend, Delores Williams; and her companions, her poodles, Snickers and Josetta, and her cockatiel, Wee Bird.

In addition to her parents, her beloved husband, Donald, a sister, Mary Gervasi, and a brother, Paul Swauger, preceded Thelma in death.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Mar. 16, at 2 p.m., in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory, New Philadelphia. Burial will be in Evergreen Burial Park, New Philadelphia. Following the committal, there will be a luncheon in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center on the Boulevard in Dover. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Wednesday, 12 �" 2 p.m. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Violet, please visit the funeral home's website and click on Obituaries.

In consideration of Violet's love for animals, the family suggests that contributions in her memory be made to Operation Warm & Cozy, 114 E. High Ave., New Philadelphia, OH 44663.


TOLAND-HERZIG
NEW PHILADELPHIA
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com