Cece (Gilmore) Van Lanen
September 05, 2016 - September 05, 2016
Obituary
MADISON-Cece (Gilmore) Van Lanen passed away on Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg following a stroke. She was born in 1943 in Galveston, Texas. Cece was a graduate of Edgewood High School in 1962 and Edgewood College in 1966. She was a Montessori School Director and a teacher for Head Start. In her later years, Cece was a hardworking employee for Gimbels in the fine jewelry department and bank teller at Anchor Bank. She was an antique collector and avid reader with a keen intellect. Cece enjoyed listening to classical music, cooking, rubber-stamping, calligraphy, Siamese cats, and treasured the time she spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling in Arizona, Montana, Oregon, and Alaska with her family. As a young adult she studied French and traveled with her brother throughout Europe appreciating art, architecture (especially Art Noveau), and European culture. Cece was the beloved wife to Dan; mother to Siobhan Van Lanen, Mary (Tom) Breunig, and Annie Johnson; loving grandmother to Caitlin, Emily, Lauren, Dallas, Taylor, and Haley; and great-grandmother to Johnathan, Marqui, and Lewin; sister to Tom (Mary) Gilmore and Goldie Goodwin; sister-in-law to Tom (Marilyn) Van Lanen and Gloria (George) Dunn; and aunt to Rebecca Gonzales, Rick Wojciechowski, Kathy Diedrich, and Christine Wood. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother Sheila Schwartz in 2000; and step-son, Dan Van Lanen in 1999. Cece was a loving person to her family and friends with a great ability for unconditional love. A Celebration to honor Cece's Life was previously held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Agrace HospiceCare, Fitchburg, WI or St. Vincent de Paul Society, Madison, WI.
Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608)442-5002
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Photos
Memories
GP
Gloria Pofahl-Pangman
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I met Cece in the early 80's and was her hairdresser for several years. She was an absolutely delightful woman, full of lively conversation and a true professional at her work, going above and beyond with helping me refinance my home. A wealth of knowledge and many interests, Cece was one of those rare people who you never forget.
My deepest sympathy to her entire beloved family.
JG
Julie Ann Graziano
Other •
CeCe was one of a kind. She and I worked together at Gimbels where she was a wonderful jewelry expert and dear chum. she introduced me to her mom in 1982 when I was going back to graduate school and I ended up being a boarder in Sheila's home. This was the start of a wonderful association with the Van Lanen family. CeCe was a dear soul, as was her mom. I love them both and always will.
Julie Graziano (Gumz)
NS
nancy stolla
Other •
To my dear everlasting friend and fellow montessorian. Oh, we crossed some interesting paths together, with you always leading the way. I'm so sorry we didn't connect when you tried to reach me from AZ about a year ago. I'd have loved to have had that conversation.
My heart goes out to Daniel and Sioban Kate, who along with their other family members all grieve Cece's absence, but I also know that she leaves a legacy that's so comforting. Lovingly, nancy stolla
SL
Siobhan Van Lanen
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