Cecilia Ann Polillo, 95, of Galesburg, Illinois, died peacefully, Thursday, July 16, 2026 at Seminary Manor, Galesburg.

Cecilia was born on December 25, 1930 in Galesburg, the daughter of Maurice Thomas and Sophie Marie (Heindl) Godsil. She attended St. Joseph Academy and graduated from Corpus Christi Catholic High School. She later married William Michael Polillo on September 2, 1950 in Galesburg. Their marriage brought nine children, seven of whom survive, two daughters, Vivian (John) Burke of Brenham, Texas and Joanne (Don) Wilson of Galesburg; and five sons, William (Charlene) Polillo of Rogers, Minnesota, Patrick (Stephanie) Polillo of Blaine, Minnesota, Christopher (Debbie Rupert) Polillo of Galesburg, Paul (Kristin) Polillo of Galesburg, Carl Polillo of Batavia, Illinois; and a son-in-law, Larry Ogle of Galesburg. Cecilia is also survived by her 19 grandchildren, Sarah Burke, William K. Polillo, Jason Polillo, Rachel Austin, Luke Polillo, Aric Polillo, Patrick W. Polillo, Andrew Polillo, Anthony Polillo, Joseph Wilson, Nicholas Wilson, Anthony Wilson, Daniel Wilson, Thomas Wilson, Veronica Polillo, Samantha Polillo, Michael Polillo, Abigail Polillo, and Samuel Polillo; 19 great grandchildren; and her brother, Michael Godsil of Galesburg. Her husband, William, preceded her in death on October 7, 1982. Also preceding her in death were her parents; two daughters, Christine Polillo and Susan Ogle; daughter-in-law Debbie Polillo; two sisters, Barbara O’Connor and Sophie Ryner; and one brother, Maurice Godsil.

Faith and family always came first for Cecilia. She was a devoted member of the Galesburg Catholic Community, attending Corpus Christi Catholic Church, member of the Lay Order of the Carmelite’s, long time member of the Legion of Mary, and prayed constantly. She would always say a prayer when she saw an ambulance or heard a medical helicopter. Over the years she especially relied on St. Anthony to find anything missing and was never disappointed. After the death of her husband, still having children at home, Cecilia became unafraid of tackling any project, fixing anything around the house, and accomplishing anything that needed to be done. She was a top notch baker and master chef and will be remembered for her legendary coffee cake and amazing chicken noodle soup. She was an accomplished seamstress, had an amazing knack for telling stories (true and fictional), was generous to a fault, and loved her 1994 Buick Roadmaster Station Wagon with a “Corvette engine”. She was beyond supportive to her family, providing unconditional love and support to all those in her life. She was a hands-on person and would do anything for those she loved. She had many sayings, but her most memorable were, “Something good can always come from something bad,” and, “Time waits for no man - neither does Cel.”

Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Eulogies will be read at 7:00 p.m. with praying of the rosary immediately following. Funeral Mass for Cecilia will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Father Jeffrey Stirniman will celebrate the mass. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Crescent Parish, 254 E. Tompkins St., Galesburg, IL 61401. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.