Cecilia Gmytruk Horrell

Cecilia Gmytruk Horrell of Castle Hayne passed away on Thursday, September 21st,
2023 after a short battle with cancer.

Born in Wilmington, North Carolina on December 22, 1940 to the late Andrew and Mildred (Fowler) Gmytruk, Cecilia and her family moved to numerous places around the country before returning to their hometown of Castle Hayne. She is a graduate of Elmira High School in Elmira, New York, Class of 1958.

She married William N. Horrell of Rocky Point in 1960 and together have four surviving children: Regina Spaulding, Julia Mills (Terry), Amy Horrell (Matt Thompson) and William Horrell, Jr. (Charlotte).

Cecilia’s true passion in life, aside from her family, was being near the beach. She was especially fond of the family camp built on Lea Island where the entire family would gather every summer for fishing, crabbing and raking of oysters and clams. When not on the beach, she was either cooking, sewing or baking a birthday cake for every member of the family. Cecilia was an active member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church and heavily involved in the annual Polish Festival.

Cecilia is preceded in death by her husband William N. Horrell and their first-born child, Mary Cecilia, her sister Patricia G. Whitfield and brother John R. Gmytruk. Also preceding her in
death are grandsons Michael Austin Whaley and Andrew Ashley Flores.

She is survived by grandchildren: Lauren Whaley (Bobby), Patrick Flores (Gregory), Kelly Hayes (Keith) of Meridian, MS, Ryan Horrell (Sarah), Nikki Thompson (Justin) and Will, Aiden and Olivia Horrell; as well as great grandchildren Gracie, Paisley, Brittany, Bracken, Iris, Meadow, Alex, Chris, Christopher, Kenzlie, Levi, Marlie and Savannah.

Also surviving are her brother Lawrence Gmytruk (Barbara) of Plant City, Florida and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Family and friends will be available for Visitation on Saturday, September 30th at 11 o’clock in the morning.
Wilmington Funeral & Cremation on South 41st Street is in charge of arrangements and care of the family.

Cecilia will be interred at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church Cemetery in Castle Hayne with a graveside memorial that is immediately following the visitation.

View the Service Live Stream HERE.

The family would like to thank her cousin, David Carver, for officiating her services and Ms. Samantha Kroes from Wilmington Funeral & Cremation.

Flowers can be sent to Wilmington Funeral & Cremation or donations made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, who ensured comfort for both her and her family.

Please leave memories and condolences for Cecilia’s family by signing the Tribute Wall below.

Services in care of Wilmington Funeral & Cremation – Wilmington Chapel – 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099