Nancy WOITAS

WOITAS, Nancy Louise Cellon, embarked on her final journey Friday, June 20, 2014, after an illness she fought with deter-mination and everlasting hope. Though she had been living in Oldsmar, Fla., she had spent the last six months at her daughter's residence in Jacksonville. She was 74. Nancy was born in Gainesville to Roy and Dorothy Cellon, and grew up riding horses and tagging along with her father on their farm in LaCrosse. She was part of Santa Fe High School's first graduating class, and went on to graduate from Florida State University, where she was a member of the AOPi sorority. After college, she worked in management at Maas Brothers department stores in Central Florida, where she met her husband, Jerry. She immensely enjoyed community service, such as her work as president of Friends of the Library (Dunedin), securing revenue streams to purchase books, and serving as part of the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin, especially in the Scot Shop thrift store, on the Mardi Gras committee and at the Annual Art Harvest. She also participated in many social networks, and enjoyed managing the family's Arabian show horses. After dedicating many years as a homemaker and volunteer, she took on her "dream job" as a marketing professional for Monsanto, a position that made good use of her skills as a charming hostess and clever businesswoman. After retirement, she fearlessly traveled to exotic places - with family, friends or even alone - effortlessly making new friends at every destination. Her loyalty and generosity with friends and family made the focus of her life to anticipate and meet their needs. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Gerald James "Jerry" Woitas, and their infant son, Roy. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Nanette and Ray Holt, of Jacksonville; her beloved sister, Ann Cellon Austin, of Alachua; and her three, adoring grandchildren, Tucker, Natasha and Liberty Holt; as well as much-loved nieces, nephews and special friends. Calling hours at Milam Funeral Home in Gainesville will be Thursday, June 26, beginning at 5:00 p.m., with a memorial service in the chapel there at 5:30 p.m. A brief graveside committal will follow at Antioch Cemetery in LaCrosse. Nancy supported many charitable organizations, and gifts in her memory would be appreciated, in lieu of flowers. Recent favorites were Promise Land Baptist Church (2197 Blair Rd, Jacksonville, 32221); the Friends of Children of North Central Florida to benefit the Cellon-Thomas campus of the Florida Baptist Children's Homes (P. O. Box 358502, Gainesville 32635-8502); and the American Red Cross (2025 E. Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006). Arrangements are under the care of MILAM FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES 311 S. Main St. Gainesville, FL 32601 (352) 376-5361