Cecelia Elena Henderson

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Cecelia E. Henderson, our loving and devoted mother, grandmother, partner and friend to all whose lives she touched. Cecelia (Cissy) passed away peacefully on Monday, September 20th. Cecelia was born in 1952 to Frank and Maggie Hansen and was the eldest of five children. She was raised in Pascagoula, MS, graduated from Pascagoula High School and received her BA in English from the University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL.
In 1976, she headed north to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina where she met and married Robert Henderson, her husband of 33 years. They settled in Upton, MA, where they raised three children and built a successful custom home business in tandem with a real estate brokerage. When Cecelia wasn’t directing Robert on his Kubota or preparing delicious meals for loved ones, she and Robert enjoyed mountains and beaches throughout New England. An active member of the community, Cecelia served on the school committee and gave her time to many local organizations including Baypath Humane Society and Meals on Wheels.
A lifelong learner and lover of all things natural, she could often be found in a garden, behind a pair of binoculars or planning her next hiking trip to chase wildflowers. A founding member of Blackstone Valley Gardeners, and a regular volunteer at the Naples Botanical Garden and Conservancy, her enthusiasm for her natural surroundings was present in many aspects of her life.
Cecelia moved to Florida in 2015 and met her current partner, Lawrence Leventhal. She and Larry loved to travel with Nessie, the spirited Jack Russell. When they weren’t on the road, they enjoyed biking, kayaking, hiking, playing pickle ball and swimming in the Gulf. Her first grandchild brought her west to Bend, OR, where they continued their love for outdoor activity. A doting mother and grandmother, Cecelia spent her last days with close family at the beach she always loved on Sanibel Island.
Cecelia is survived by her children, Summer and Cody, her grandchild Sage Cecelia, her son-in law Matt, her partner Larry Leventhal, as well as her extended family and an abundance of friends. She is preceded in death by her beloved son Jacy and husband Robert. She was so grateful for the love and support over the years, especially after the death of her son and husband. An inspiration to all who knew her, Cecelia will be dearly missed for her generosity, courage, sense of humor and zestful personality.
A service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Cecelia’s honor to the Upton Bloomer Girls (POB 121, Upton, MA 01568) and Judi’s House (https://judishouse.org/). In recognition of her love for nature and her kindness to others, the entrance garden at Judi’s House in Denver, CO, will be dedicated to Cecelia in fall 2022.

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