A Service of Remembrance, celebrating the life of Cecile Lu Starn
January 29, 1938 - October 14, 2024
Cecile Lu Crema Starn, known by loved ones and friends as Cee, age 86, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 14th at her daughter’s home in Robeson Township, Pennsylvania. Born to Elizabeth T. (Corson) Crema and Francis V. Crema of Absecon, Cee was a lifelong resident of Atlantic County, New Jersey.
Music, especially choral singing, was always an important aspect of Cee’s life. While attending Pleasantville High School, she was chosen to be one of the altos in the school’s well-respected double-octet, performing at various venues around the state. It was also at Pleasantville High that she met her sweetheart, Paul Robert “Bob” Starn. They were married while he served in the United States Air Force. Bob was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada where they had their first child, daughter Linda (Shalini). Three years later, back home in Absecon, their twin sons Doug and Mike were born.
Cee was a devoted mother, spending countless summer days with the kids at the beach in Brigantine and exploring marine life with them along Absecon Creek, catching crabs and minnows. To support her daughter’s love of horses and competition, she learned to handle the horses and spent most weekends of her daughter’s teenage years driving a trailer to shows. She created a home of beauty and warmth for her family, attending to the smallest of details. Everyone enjoyed the meals Cee prepared. At large family gatherings, Cee’s apple pie was always the most anticipated item on the menu.
Cee had a passion for both learning and teaching. She was a professional aerobics dance instructor with a national fitness company for many years. Her students loved her classes and she gathered a loyal following, many students came to be her close friends. She not only led the dance classes, but also trained new instructors for the company. She was devoted to the Absecon Methodist Church, where she was a member for her entire life. She taught pre-kindergarten Sunday School, attended bible classes, and was an active member of the choir for over 50 years. She taught English as a Second Language to new citizens. When Bob learned to fly and acquired his own plane, Cee decided she should know how to land the plane in an emergency and signed up for flying lessons. She logged the required hours to earn a co-pilot certificate, flew many solo flights, and performed instrument flights and landings.
Her gentle and sweet smile lit up rooms and hearts with its authenticity and love. She never said an unkind word about anyone; she was a great listener and always open-minded. She was a true and dear friend to her children, supporting them in all of their pursuits. And she was the best grandmother one could ever imagine. Cee was the epitome of grace, kindness, and goodness.
In later decades, when post-polio symptoms and late-onset Multiple Sclerosis made moving about and getting out to see friends difficult, she never complained. She was a model of acceptance and optimism. Her determination and strength led her to continue leading her beloved aerobic dance classes while using crutches. Cee was an inspiration to all who loved and admired her.
Cee and Bob celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary last December. Bob died June 26th of this year and her brother Rit Crema died in March of 2023. She is survived by daughter L. Shalini Bosbyshell and husband Howell Bosbyshell, son Doug Starn and wife Nancy Bressler, son Mike Starn and wife Anne Pasternak, and three grandchildren: Paris Starn, Jules Starn, and Gemma Starn.
Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license A-731620.
CCLI: CSPL099122