Celeste Ann Carter Obituary (1968 - 2017)

Celeste A. Carter, 49 of Waterville ME (formerly of Massachusetts) passed away peacefully with family by her side on March 21st, 2017 after a long, courageous battle with breast cancer. Celeste was born on January 3, 1968 to Francis & Frances Carter of Winslow ME. She was the youngest of their five children. At the age of five, Celeste formed an infatuation for the sewing machine while standing at her mother’s side to watch her sew. By the time she turned eight years old, her mother cleared out a coat closet to allow her daughter the space to channel her creativity. From there, the designer was born. As the years passed, it became obvious that Celeste was meant to create. After Celeste graduated high school in 1986, she went on to pursue a career in fashion design. She attended Chamberlain College in Boston Mass. After graduating from Chamberlain, Celeste was fortunate enough to have a seasoned pattern maker realize her potential. This woman taught her the specifications of making patterns for women’s clothing. Celeste then moved to South Boston with her high school sweetheart, Jamie Mackenrodt, originally of Southie. One of her first jobs was her own business creating authentic Irish dance costumes. Another one of her businesses included sewing scrub uniforms for the local hospitals. After that, Celeste worked in technical design specializing in the composition of sweaters. She worked for various high end companies including Northern Isles, J. Jill, Chico’s, Chadwick’s, and Nic & Zoe. By the year 2002, Celeste had lived in Massachusetts for over fifteen years. She decided to make a change after losing her mother, who passed away suddenly that year. In 2004, she moved back to Waterville and bought herself a home. Her goal was to spend quality time with family that she realized had been missed from living out of state for so many years. We will never forget the endless barbeques and fun times spent swimming in her giant in-ground pool. Celeste is predeceased by her mother Frances J. Carter (Berkley), her father Francis E Carter, her uncle Sonny Talbot and her first set of doggie “children” Max and Bonnie. Celeste is survived by her one brother Stephen Berliawsky and her three sisters: Rosemary Carter and husband Jesse, Sharon Carter-Hunter and husband Bruce Hunter, and Caroline Dixon. Two nieces: Celina Lloyd (her goddaughter) and Sadie Dixon along with their significant others, Kevin Bristol and Zach Witham; two nephews: Zachariah Dixon (her godson) and Tyler Hunter; one great nephew James Dixon and one great niece Emma Witham. Her ex-husband Jamie Mackenrodt and her second set of doggie “children” Elvis and Priscilla, along with many other extended family members. We would also like to extend our gratitude to a very special Aunt Paula Talbot and equally special Uncle Nathan Berkley and wife Pat Berkley. Additionally, we would like to thank three other exceptionally helpful friends of Celeste’s: Brian Belanger, Pam Ingraham, and Denise Fortier (LaPointe). All of whom helped make Celeste’s last year and a half of life as comfortable and joyful as possible. We also thank Rebecca and Ben Cayford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Celeste A. Carter at the Sacred Heart Church on Pleasant Street in Waterville on Saturday, April 8th at 11:00am. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart and Edwards of Skowhegan Maine, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine.