Twyla J. Cerasari

Twyla Cerasari, 89, passed away Friday, April 25, 2014 at her home in Placida, Florida. She was born November 25, 1924 in Frankfort, Kansas to Thelma Marshall and Clifford Welch. She spent the majority of her life in Wilmington, Delaware. She retired to Florida, where she spent her final years with her daughter Adele and her family. Twyla was a true giver in every sense of the word. She spent the majority of her life taking care of those she loved and never asked for anything in return. No matter how busy or hectic her own life was, she always put everyone else first. Twyla was a sports fan who loved football, baseball, golf, and most of all Nascar. Her last days were spent knowing her favorite racer Jeff Gordon was the Sprint Cup points leader. She was the go-to person for anything you ever wanted to know about sports, past or present. Twyla always looked to the bright side, no matter what life handed her, including the loss of her sight. She made us laugh just being "Twyla". She was a strong woman of many talents and an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her. During WWII, Twyla supported her country by working as our own "Rosie the Riveter" assembling U.S. war planes. For a short period of time in the 1950s, she was the Chief of Police of Elsmere, Delaware. This garnered the honor of being the "First Female Chief of Police" in the United States. She took great pride in the level of service she provided as a waitress in such fine establishments as the Concord Country Club, Winkler's, and the Columbus Inn, where she finally retired at the age of 77! She was so well loved and appreciated that the Columbus Inn displayed a 20 foot banner on the outside of their building to celebrate her career. She loved nothing better than cooking your favorite food, gathering with family and friends, discussing sports, and celebrating life. She will be sorely missed by all those who knew and loved her. Twyla is survived by her first born Clifford "Gene" (Debbie), Adele Lepore, Joanna Botting (Peter); grandchildren, Michael Lepore, Gina Dickerson (Edward), Frankie Lepore (Hetal), Dominica Lepore, Olivia Botting (Bill Fanjoy), and Matthew Botting; great-grandchildren, Marie Adele and Sophia Rae Dickerson; her loving sisters, Betty Rudy, of Texas; Waunita Burton and Wanda Lou Brumit, of Kansas; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving husband of nearly 50 years, Nicholas; her two sons Louis and Nicholas Jr. "Nicky Boy"; brother, Bill Welch; and sister, Beverly Zech. A private service will be held at a later date.