Celia Finestone
Memorial Music Park
Celia J. Finestone (1935-2020)
Mrs. Celia Finestone was a long time resident of Wellsboro. She lived in the community from 1989 until her passing at the age of 85 in 2020. She was a nurse for 62 years, and liked to say, "music is a kind of healing medicine for the soul. Her hands brought more than 2,000 babies to life ,in addition to her own 5 children. She was proud of having given assistance to this life-affirming process.
Celia was also an accomplished musician. She mastered many instruments among them the piano, organ, cello and harp. Learning to play the harp was a cherished ambition she pursued after her retirement. In the process, Celia discovered wonderful musicians who not only guided her through awkward learning stages, but who became her dear friends.
She was happiest when making music with others or when contributing to the development of a loving musical foundation in children. She also frequently gave solace to others while playing soothing harp music to hospital patients or to those grieving a loved one.
Celia was also active in local music groups, notably the Wednesday Morning Musicales and the Mansfield University Festival Chorus. She felt a debt of gratitude for the excellent work they do while presenting live music and derived joy in her part of these performances. She said "Making music is a public service while also shoring up one's anxious soul in sharing it".
Celia always did her best to enliven the spirits of whomever she met with pride in being a resident of Wellsboro, a town she loved deeply. Always inspired to bring cheerful kindness in service to others, doing her utmost to bring comfort and musical healing to people. Those that were lucky enough to know say she'd consider the music park a way for her to fondly bless Wellsboro and the communities generous support of the arts. Anyone who knew Celia knows she would be profoundly honored and touched in having the Celia J. Finestone Music Park established and dedicated in her memory.
