Cecilia "Ceci" Celeste Black

Cecilia “Ceci” Celeste Calvin Black, age 78, of McArthur, Ohio passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She was born on August 8, 1947, in Athens, Ohio, to her late parents, Cecil Calvin and Margaret Douglas and was raised by her late grandparents, Lawrence and Leona Calvin. After graduating from McArthur High School, she obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ohio University and began a long, fulfilling career in the Wellston and Vinton County school systems. She taught many subjects over the years, but most of her career was spent teaching mathematics to high schoolers. Ceci was passionate about her family, movies, music, mathematics, gardening and all her former students. Over the years, many of these students have said she was their “favorite teacher”, and she absolutely loved knowing she made a difference in the lives of “her kids”.

Ceci is survived by her daughter Deidra (Matt) Peterson, son Joshua (Kayla) Maerker, grandchildren Alec (Karena) Ray, Payton Speakman, Trase (Taylor) Speakman and Gideon Peterson, great-grandchildren Charleigh, Baylor and Tate Ray, and brother Richard Calvin. Besides her parents and grandparents, Ceci was preceded in death by her husband, William Black and grandmother, Celestia Williams.

The family wishes to thank all those who have cared for Ceci over the last few months, including the staff members at Jenkins Care Community, Holzer Health System and the Ohio State Medical Center.

A private celebration will be held at a later date to honor Ceci’s life. Whether you knew her as “Ceci”, “Mrs. Maerker”, or “Mrs. Black”, the family asks that you take a moment to remember her for the vivacious yet incredibly patient person she was and the extraordinary impact she made as an educator.

Arrangements are by Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home, 201 W. High St., McArthur.

Please sign her online guestbook at www.cardaras.com.