Cecelia Christa Gafford, age 63, of Warrensburg, passed away Friday, August 2, 2024, at Research Medical Center in Kansas City. She was born December 9, 1960, in Munich, Germany, the daughter of Robert E. and Christa (Sperl) Merrick.

Cie served in the United States Air Force from 1984-89. She later worked at the Kansas City VA Medical Center and the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg. Cie was an avid reader, loved travelling and cooking, and cherished spending quality time with family.

Cecelia is survived by her husband, David Penrose; two children, Johanna (Blaine) McKeehan and Jesse (Sierra) Gafford; and a brother, Robert E. Merrick, Jr.