Celia Teresa (Autiello) Knightly

March 2, 1929 - September 17, 2019

Celia Teresa (Autiello) Knightly, 90, of Salem, NH, formerly of Methuen and Lawrence, passed peacefully on Tuesday, September 17, 2019. Born in Lawrence, Celia was a first-generation Italian immigrant and the second child of Alice (Zampelli) and Guiseppe Autiello. Celia graduated from Lawrence High School and worked for almost 20 years with Clem Connors as an Office Manager and Bookkeeper. Celia married John J. Knightly, Jr. in 1958 and they had a long and happy marriage until his death in 2000. After the birth of her daughter, Johnna, Celia was a stay at home Mom and cared for not only her daughter but numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews into adulthood. Her home was always a place of acceptance and refuge and she was ahead of her time in making housekeeping an art. She also encouraged a generation of women in the family to never give up and to pursue their dreams with courage and confidence. Later in life Celia worked with her sister Jennie at Grieco Brothers in Lawrence, MA. When she wasn’t taking care of someone or working Celia liked to tend her rosebushes and spent many hours working outside. She and John also loved traveling and when they retired they traveled all over the globe meeting new people and experiencing new places. She was a loving and devoted sister, spending contented hours with Ida, Jennie, Sam, and Rita. Celia is survived, and will be dearly missed, by her daughter, Johnna M. Knightly of Haverhill, Mass.; her siblings, with whom she lived during her illness, Jennie Autiello, and Samuel Autiello of Salem, NH, and Rita Golec and her husband, Joseph, also of Salem, NH. As well as numerous cousins, godchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. Celia was predeceased by her beloved husband , John J. Knightly Jr. and her lovely sister Ida Volk. Celia’s family wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude to Celia’s aides, Theresa, Debra, and Rebecca who provided love, care and support to Celia and her family and enabled her to stay at home throughout her illness. Your kindness will always be remembered. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, September 21, 2019, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, MA. Following the calling hours her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m., in Corpus Christi Parish, Holy Rosary Church, 35 Common Street, Lawrence, MA. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, MA. For online condolences and other information please visit us at www.breenfuneralhome.com. At the request of the family, memorial contributions can be made to Smile Train, P.O. Box 96231 Washington, D.C. 20090-6231