Cecelia (Rydzewski) Recklau, a long-time resident of Feasterville, passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, March 23, 2015. She was 94 years old.

Born in Philadelphia, Cecelia grew up in the Port Richmond section of the city, the daughter of Polish immigrants, Felix Rydzewski and Rosalia Bruderek Rydzewski, who had emigrated to this country through Ellis Island at the beginning of the twentieth century. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Karl Recklau, and her first-born son, Carl Recklau, as well as by her parents, her three sisters, Helen, Veronica and Theresa and her four brothers, Bruno, Joseph, Francis and Chester.

Cecelia was a caring and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who possessed a great sense of humor, an incredible work ethic and a strong sense of independence. She was a youngster during the Great Depression and learned well the lessons of frugality that came from that experience. She worked side-by-side with her husband, Karl, to build with their own labor the house in Feasterville that they lived in for over fifty years and she continued to cut the lawn, shovel the snow, trim the bushes, paint the house and garden even after Karl had passed away and well into her eighties.

She enjoyed travel with her husband and with other family members and traveled extensively, visiting most states in the United States, as well as countries in Europe and the Caribbean. She most cherished, however, family trips to Stone Harbor, Virginia and Pittsburgh and holiday dinners where her family were gathered. In addition, she was an inveterate, but cautious, gambler and loved trips to the Atlantic City casinos where she would play the nickel slots, then enjoy walking on the boardwalk. She always kept busy, either with cooking, baking, needlework at home, or playing card games and bingo at the Neshaminy Senior Center. Her crocheted afghans were prized as gifts to family members. But most of all, she loved visiting with and playing with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She leaves behind to forever mourn her passing a daughter, Cecelia Mowday and son-in-law, Daniel Mowday, of Churchville, a son, Paul Recklau (Maureen) of Woodbridge, VA and a son, Richard Recklau (Mary) of Holland. In addition, she will be sorely missed by her ten grandchildren: Jennifer McEnroe (Ryan) of Pittsburgh, Alison Klein (Timothy) of Ambler, Myles Gibbons (Bonnie) of Roslyn, Justin Recklau, Stephanie Recklau, Richard Recklau, Laura Recklau, Jessica Recklau, Angie Recklau and Jean Recklau, as well as her six great-grandchildren: Sarah and Katherine McEnroe, Chase and Maxwell Klein and Aeryn and Connor Gibbons.

Funeral Mass and interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.