Peabody - Alva May Celeste, beloved wife of Salvatore Celeste, died peacefully on Friday November 17, 2023, surrounded by her family following an extended illness. She was 89.

Born in Lynn, Massachusetts on April 16, 1934, Alva was the daughter of Gertrude and Robert Wallis. She grew up in Lynn with her sisters and brothers: Robert, Marie, Henry, Ada, Joanne, Charles, Ronald, Raymond, and Cynthia. She kept in her heart always the beautiful memory of her sisters Thelma and Gail Suzanne. Alva attended Lynn Classical High School.

In 1952, Alva met her perfect dance partner in Salvatore Celeste. As they breezed across the dance floor, a special bond was formed, the kind that lasts a lifetime. Alva and Sal were married that same year. They welcomed their daughter Debra. In 1962, their son Salvatore was born.

To Alva, family was everything. She remained close to her sisters and brothers throughout her life. Alva always said that being a mother was the most important thing in her life. She loved her children and took great pride in their successes, such as when Debbie and Jim bought their first home, Debbie passed the real estate exam, when Salvatore was accepted into Brown University and later when he made his Saltines CD.

Alva loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She celebrated each of them in their uniqueness. She was always a “cool Grandma” – hands on, someone they could confide in, laugh, and play with.

Over the years, she spread her love to many people in her life. She was patient, kind and compassionate, and always willing to support those around her. Alva loved home decorating and was always planning the next re-decorating project. She had an eye for color and design. Despite her humble beginnings, later in life Alva explored the world. Her love of travel took her to Italy, The Bahamas, Florida, New York, California, Maine, and Hawaii.

In addition to her daughter, Debra and husband James DiVincenzo, her son Salvatore and wife Elizabeth, she leaves behind her grandchildren, Kimberly DiVincenzo, Lindsay McFadden, and Olivia Celeste, as well as her great grandchildren Griffin and Gemma McFadden. She also leaves behind Marie and Alan Borans, Ada Dowd, Joanne Curley, Cynthia and Riccardo Drainoni, Charles and Yoshiko Wallis, and many nieces and nephews.

ARRANGEMENTS: Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Sunday, November 26, 2023 from 2:00 p.m.to 5:00 p.m. at the Conway Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn Street, Peabody, MA. The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 27 at 10:00 a.m. at the South Congregational Church, 60 Prospect Street, Peabody. Burial will follow at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, 185 Lake Street, Peabody, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Epilepsy Foundation New England, 650 Suffolk Street, Suite 405, Lowell, MA. 01854-3694.