Celia Ball

BOARDMAN TOWNSHIP - A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 5, 2016, at 1 p.m., at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel, officiated by Sr. Pat Fesler H.M., for Celia Warfield (Purnell) Ball, 73, who died Wednesday morning at her home, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Celia was born on Christmas day, 1942, in Baltimore, daughter of Lyttleton Bowen Purnell III and Josephine Warfield Purnell.

Celia was a Baltimore debutante, and graduated from the prestigious Gunston School on the eastern shore of Maryland. Her approach to life was simple; she used a positive attitude and a mischievous grin to make her way through life.

She enjoyed gardening and was always happiest when her hands were in the dirt. Her green thumb was reflected in the beauty of her flower gardens. She earned the designation of Master Gardener of OSU, Master Gardener of Fellowship Riverside Gardens and loved to spend her days volunteering in Mill Creek Park and at the Holborn Herb Growers Guild at the Canfield Fairgrounds. Not only was Celia fond of creating stunning flower beds, but she also loved to cultivate fresh fruits and vegetables. She adored canning and turning the efforts of her labor into delicious jams, jellies and sauces. Friends and family always looked forward to the delicious results as she generously gave most of each year's efforts away.

Her other passions included knitting and crocheting. Rarely was she seen without a current project on her lap. She always had a work-bag with her containing at least one book, a colorful collection of yarns, and the several projects in various states of completion. Blankets, clothes and "scrubbies" created over her lifetime can now be found in the homes of friends and family, helping veterans and the homeless, and leaving a legacy of hard work and generosity. She was especially proud when she won first place at the Canfield Fair with her knitted version of the Fair's mascot, the rooster.

Celia was very active in the community and was a longtime member of many local organizations. In addition to the aforementioned Holborn Herb Growers Guild, she was a past president of Newcomers of Mahoning Valley, a member of the nominating committee of Canfield AARP chapter, a member of the Western Reserve Knitting Club, the Mahoning Valley Machine Knitters Group, 4-H Bridle Buddies and La Fleur Garden Club.

Celia was an animal lover, tending for many a pet throughout her life. Her love of dogs, cats and horses was well-known, and there were always one or more pets sharing her house. You could also find her most mornings sitting at the kitchen table watching the many varieties of birds enjoying innumerable feeders placed by her large bay window. In addition to her local activities, Celia loved to travel and see new places. She loved taking trips to Europe, exploring the historic cities and landscapes dotted along picturesque rivers.

Celia leaves her husband of 52 years, Mr. John Ball, whom she married on July 20, 1963.

She is also survived by her four children, Celia Margaret (Richard) Scott of Easton, Pa., Mary Josephine (Salvatore) Iandimarino of Naples, Fla., Sherry Anne (Rick) Orr of Austintown, and Laura Michelle Stroud of Dayton; and nine grandchildren, William, Christopher and Jonathan Scott, Nicolina and Gianni Iandimarino, Zackary, Nicholas, and Abigail Orr, and Jason Stroud.

Besides her parents, Celia was preceded in death by her two brothers, Lyttleton Bowen Purnell IV and Henry Warfield Purnell.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 11 a.m until 12:50 p.m. at the funeral home.

Celia will be laid to rest at Druid Ridge Cemetery in Baltimore.

The family requests material tributes be made in Celia's name to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Boardman, OH 44512.

Please visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view this tribute and send condolences.