St. Anne’s Catholic Church held a memorial service Tuesday, June 2, for long-time resident Celine Kyle. Don Shoemaker, pastor emeritus at Grace Community Church, was among the speakers at the funeral.
She passed away peacefully in her Seal Beach home on Friday, May 29. The 87-year-old was surrounded by family and friends. According to her family, she was bed ridden only one day and passed away without pain.
Her daughter Kathleen Kyle Keane, said she was wearing earrings and make up when she died. Mike Keane, Kathleen’s husband, said Celine was active until the end.
Margaret Celine Kyle was born on Sept. 19, 1926, in Derry, Ireland. She eventually met Jerry Kyle. By coincidence, Jerry and Celine were both born on the same date—two years apart—and married on Sept. 19, 1943.
The church in which they were married has already performed a mass for her.
Celine Kyle’s ashes will be buried in Ireland and in Guadalupe, where she and her late husband Jerry spent much of their time. According to son-in-law Mike Keane, Jerry Kyle’s grave has the only Celtic cross in the cemetery.
Celine and Jerry Kyle came to America in January 1949, first arriving in New York City before moving to California in 1952.
The couple lived in Sunset Beach for a time, but moved to Old Town Seal Beach in 1959, according to Barbara Moreland, a friend of the family.
She was found most mornings in “her booth” in O’Malley’s on Main, which is owned by her son Brian Kyle.
Celine Kyle was also a frequent visitor to Javatinis Espresso on Main Street. But O’Malley’s was her headquarters, according to Keane. He said she probably knew every shopkeeper on Main Street.
Kathleen Kyle Keane said Manny at Bay Hardware had a key to her house. Kathleen said Celine Kyle knew people from all walks of life.
Celine spent much of her time in Old Town shopping for antiques or gifts for her friends and family on Main Street. “Her home is like an antique store,” Kathleen Kyle Keane said.
Mike Keane said that once when they were visiting Celine, a couple came into the house. After looking around, the couple complimented them on what a nice store they had.
When her husband Jerry was alive, the couple spent a great deal of time in Mexico, bringing toys, medicine and clothing to a small village called Ignacio Zaragoza. The family is asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in honor of Celine Kyle to the Children of Ignacio Zaragoza, P.O. Box 462, Seal Beach CA 90740.
Keane said donors should put donation on the memo line. Kathleen said there was no time to set up a non-profit.
Celine Kyle is survived by her four children Terence Kyle (married to Shirley), Geraldine Kyle McWeeney (Married to Tony), Brian Kyle (owner of O’Malley’s) and Kathleen Kyle Keane (married to Mike). She is also survived by eight grandchilden and 10 great grandchildren.
