Cecilia F. Faas

Cecilia G. Fass passed away on Saturday Nov 18, 2017 in her own bed attended by her daughters.

She was born on November 20, 1923.

She married Frederick Faas Dec 29, 1945. They had known each other since grade school in New York City, and they were married for 60 years. After he returned from service with Merrill’s Marauders, they lived briefly in New York City until Fred returned to active duty.

Cecilia and Fred left New York City after his reenlistment and went on to a life of service; during his 32 years in the US Army, they lived in Georgia, South Vietnam, Okinawa, Thailand, Kentucky, Florida, and North Carolina. Through all the moves, Cecilia shepherded their growing family (8 children) and kept house and home together in challenging circumstances. She was a tireless volunteer for the Catholic schools that their children attended (St. Ann’s in Fayetteville, NC and Ruam Rudi in Bangkok, Thailand). She was active within the Catholic community at Ft. Bragg, teaching catechism and supporting ministries for soldiers and families.  She set an excellent example for her children and community by feeding the hungry, visiting the sick in the VA hospital in Fayetteville, and donating gallons of blood to many blood banks over the years. She retired from Fuller School and continued her volunteer work because she loved special needs children. 

She loved reading (and taught all her children to value it), music, and shopping to donate cribs and toys to charities. After retirement, she and Fred traveled to visit their children in Hawaii, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, New York, Louisiana, South Dakota, and Florida. She traveled with her sisters to Alaska.  She made lifelong friends easily and welcomed all her children’s spouses and friends into an ever-growing family. She and her husband entertained strangers, especially soldiers, for family and holiday meals. They generously met the needs of friends and acquaintances with no expectation of thanks or reimbursement.  She welcomed all the pets her children brought home (from cats and puppies to snakes and possums), and adopted many others from animal shelters, giving them a good home. Her reward will be great in heaven.

Her husband Fred, and her son, Fred greeted her in heaven. She is survived by 7 children and their families: Jayne Ellyn (Knous), Gary Owen Faas, Catherine Anne (McIntyre), Celeste Marie (Deville), Amy Regina Faas, Thomas Edward Faas, Ellyn Carol (Keeton), sixteen grandchildren, and many great grandchildren, and her sisters, Rita Kleinau, Ann Dalton, and Grace Santecero. She is also survived by dear friends, Hattie Agnew, Sandra Hicks and too many others to recall here.

She went to sleep on earth and awoke in heaven two days before her 94th birthday in Fayetteville, NC. Condolences and remembrances may be posted on the Sullivan Highland funeral home in Fayetteville, NC.

A funeral mass is planned for 12:15 pm on Friday, November 24, 2017, at St. Ann Catholic Church.

Services are entrusted to Sullivan’s Highland Funeral Service & Crematory.