Obituary of Celeste J. Sodano

Celeste Sodano, age 78, of Niskayuna, NY, went home to the arms of the Lord on March 24, 2026.

Celeste was born in Madison, NJ on December 11, 1947 to Rose and Anthony Sodano. Upon graduation from Madison High School in 1966, during the Vietnam War, Celeste joined The Women’s Army Corps. She received basic military training at Fort McClellan, Ala., and graduated from Adjutant General School (Administration) at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind.

She was assigned to the Fifth Army headquarters at Fort Sheridan, Ill., in 1967, and from there was sent to Okinawa. Despite war being fought nearby, she found joy in meeting the people of Okinawa and learning about their history. Upon her return she was stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C. where she received the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding performance of duty in the area of administration.

Celeste left the Army in 1971 and moved to Albany, NY. In 1973 as a former member of the Women’s Army Corps and Army Reserve, she made the decision to enlist in the New York Army National Guard and thus became the first woman to join the HQ and HQ Detachment, 727th Maintenance Battalion and also the very first woman in New York appointed full time employment in the Guard’s Technician Program. Both firsts span a 300-year history of the Guard.

Her career with the Guard spanned 20 years and she retired in 1993 with the rank of Major, and with many awards and commendations.

Celeste was a kind, loving, gentle, caring soul and she was generous to all, family, friend and stranger alike. She was an avid gardener and created the most beautiful gardens around her home. She loved nature and wildlife, especially her backyard feathered friends. Most of all, she loved her family and her friends and was always there for all in every way possible.

Celeste is survived by her brother, James Sodano (Anne) of Leland, NC; sisters, Carmasita Boyne (Terry) of Morris Plains, NJ, and Theresa LoSapio (Anthony) of Bridgewater, NJ; nephews J T Sodano (Lisa) of Bensalem, PA, Sean Provost of Lake Hiawatha, NJ, Patrick Boyne (Molly), of Randolph, NJ and Dillon LoSapio (Brittany) of Lebanon, NJ; nieces Jennifer Lenz (Charlie) of Culver City, CA, and Kathleen Dietrich (Michael) of Morristown, NJ, and grand nephews and nieces Christopher, Alexandra, Roman and Eleanor. She is also survived by many dear friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 prior to the Mass of Christian Burial that will be held at 10:00 a.m.  For those who are unable to attend the Mass in person, please visit www.svmnj.org/livestream-mass

Interment with military honors will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison.

For those dear friends of Celeste’s who are unable to travel to New Jersey, a celebration of her life will be held in Niskayuna, New York at a later date to be announced when available.