Biography

Godeva Latz Cerrelli, 86, died July 19 at Woodward Estate Assisted Living Apartments in Bowie, MD. Godeva was born and raised in Atlantic City, NJ, as a member of the Latz family that owned and ran the Knife and Fork Inn. She worked in the restaurant but eventually went off to New York and Philadelphia to study art. In 1955 she married Ezio Cerrelli and they had four children. They moved to Bowie in 1964. Godeva continued to attend art classes and paint watercolors while raising her children. She was also an active club member of the Bowie Women's Club, the League of Women Voters, the Bowie Art Guild, a Bowie investment club and the Bowie International Club. After she returned to college in her fifties and earned her BA in art history, she joined the American Association of University Women (AAUW). She enjoyed traveling near and far, attending Arena Stage and other local theaters, watching new and old movies, and watching her grandchildren play and grow.


Godeva is survived by her husband, Ezio Cerrelli; four children, David Cerrelli and his wife Barbara Bradburn, Adele Cerrelli, Geoff Cerrelli and his wife Rowan, and Susanne Cerrelli and her husband Rafael Portillo; and seven grandchildren. She is the sister of Allah Gerlach of Frankfurt, Germany, Mack Latz of Atlantic City, NJ, the late Marie Blank, and the late Jimmy Latz.


A Graveside Service will be held at Beth Israel Cemetery, Egg Harbor, NJ on Thurs., July 22 at 1 p.m. If you plan to attend the funeral, you are welcome but please contact Adele Cerrelli at 301-345-3072. A memorial celebration will be held at Woodward Estate on Sunday, 1 Aug., at 1:30 p.m. in the Belair Room, address: 14997 Health Center Dr., Bowie, MD 20716. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Godeva's name to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Hwy., Annapolis, MD 21041 or CARE Haiti-Earthquake-Relief, Gift Center, P.O. Box 7039, Merrifield VA 22116-9753.

Graveside Service

Thursday July 22, 2010, 1:00pm at Beth Isreal Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions

The cemetery is located on Black Horse Pike, near the intersection of Fire Rd., in Pleasantville, NJ. If you plan to attend, please contact Adele: 301-345-3072

Memorial Service

Sunday August 1, 2010, 1:30pm at Woodward Estate
Click for Map and Directions

The Memorial Service will be held in the Belair Room.