Celeste Marie Bailey

We are sad to announce the passing of Celeste Bailey (Boyce). Born in Chicago, she moved her family to Burnsville, Minnesota and then to Southern California. For the last five years, she found a home at a Christian-based continuing care retirement community in Stanton, CA where she made many new friends and was cared for by those who grew to know and love her. At the age of 85, Celeste passed away on June 12, 2023 surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Celeste was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, advocate, and friend. She loved cooking for her family. When her children were young, Celeste would spend her Sunday afternoons trying out recipes from around the world. Still in their church clothes, she would gather her family in the dining room to enjoy a fabulous meal, while the kids practiced their table manners.

Celeste loved her family, community, and country. She delighted in hosting get-togethers, dancing with friends, traveling, and volunteering with the Torrance League of Women Voters and the Women's Auxiliary for Teen Challenge of Los Angeles.

She was an avid reader who enjoyed writing short stories and essays, taking long walks, and spending time at the beach. A strong, fierce, and independent woman, Celeste taught her kids to fight for what's right and to always show compassion and kindness. She would lift your day with her smile and always lend a loving hand, including opening her home to children in need.

She is survived by her brother Ronnie; her children: Bob (Darlene), Sue, Julie, Leslie (Floyd), and Jennifer; her grandchildren: Roy, Chris (Kate), Richie (Samantha), Katie (Moises), Celeste (Jason), Michael (Lauren), and Jake; her great grandchildren: Teagan, Addi, Stanley, Ezekiel, Isabella, Haddon, and Elijah; her niece Patricia, her nephew Bob (Courtney); and her cousins Bev (Cook) and Judie (Mike).

She is preceded in death by her father Tom, mother Marie, brother Tommy, sister Karen, son-in-law Johnny, granddaughter Heather, niece Debbie, nephew Steve, aunt Evelyn, sister-in-law Muriel, and cousin Bonnie.

We remember her 25-year career at St. Peters by the Sea Church of Rancho Palos Verdes and post-retirement volunteer work at Torrance Nar-Anon. We celebrate her lifetime membership (60 years) with the League of Women Voters. Celeste was a devoted Catholic and member of St. Lawrence Martyr of Redondo Beach, St. Margaret Mary of Lomita, Nativity of Torrance, and most recently St. Polycarp of Stanton.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Rowntree Gardens Chapel, 12151 Dale Ave., Stanton, CA 90680.

A graveside memorial service will follow at 1:30 PM at Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 S Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.

We encourage anyone who knew Celeste to join her family and friends at either or both services to celebrate her beautiful life.

In lieu of flowers, you may wish to donate to one of Celeste's favorite charities:

The Sunshine Kids https://sunshinekids.org/

Teen Challenge of Los Angeles https://www.teenchallenge.org/donate/

Nar-Anon https://www.nar-anon.org/contribute-to-nar-anon