Celine Olson, 1925 – 2021
Celine Olson became a member of the first City Council of Solana Beach and the City’s fifth Mayor, after leading a years-long campaign for incorporation.
Celine was born on September 26, 1925 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Edward F. Sweeney and Angele (Sauret) Sweeney. She graduated from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School in 1943 and volunteered with the Navy League and sold war bonds in addition to working for AT&T as a draftsman. While doing her volunteer work in 1945 she met a dashing naval officer, Joseph C. Olson. They continued their relationship by exchanging numerous letters while he was at sea during the war and in May of 1946, they were married in the chapel at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.
Celine was a Navy wife for the next 17 years and raised five children while moving around to Philadelphia, Boston, Michigan, Washington, Japan and San Diego. While living in San Diego she became active in local civic affairs and was instrumental in saving the quiet neighborhood of Mission Hills from over development. After a total of about 25 years in San Diego and the kids mostly moved out, Celine and Joe decided to make Solana Beach their home in 1975.
Celine soon became active in the community and helped to save the canyon side overlooking San Elijo Lagoon near her home from development. Her participation and activities included four years with the San Dieguito Citizens Planning Group; eight years with the Solana Beach Town Council, two as President; the Solana Beach Women’s Civic Club, where she championed the effort to create the Solana Beach Friends of the Library, serving as President in 1984, and helping make the new library a reality; a North County Transit Board District Director working on establishment of the new train station and the Coaster service; the Shoreline Erosion Committee; and past President (1994-96) and member of the Solana Beach Civic and Historical Society for many years. She was a staunch life-long Republican and proud member of the Republican Women’s Association.
Her proudest achievement aside from her family was as a leader in the effort to incorporate Solana Beach starting in 1979 which became a reality on July 1, 1986, serving as Council Member for four years and Mayor in 1992. She truly loved Solana Beach, her home of 45 years.
She loved to travel with Joe, whether by train, ship or automobile taking several cruises and visiting places like China, Scandinavia, Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska and the Great Northwest. She also loved to dine out including at Fidel’s and Tony’s in Eden Garden.
Celine was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years Joe in 2009, son Richard Olson (wife Raquel) of San Diego in 2017, and daughter Dianne Ray (husband Randy) of Hauula, Hawaii in 2018.
She is survived by daughters Sue Wilson (husband Gordon) of Chatsworth, Georgia and Patti Olson of San Diego, and son Eric Olson (wife Jo) of Warrenton Oregon, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Celine Olson died of natural causes at her new home near Warrenton, Oregon on July 19, 2021 at the age of 95. She rests at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery with her loving husband.
Boo-Boo had been looking forward to the Historical Society’s Halloween party all month. He had never been to one before, and was excited to dress up in his best white sheet.
Jackie o’Lantern was feeling excited as she made her way to the community center by the sea. It was the earliest Halloween party of the season, and Jackie loved nothing more than dressing up and celebrating with her friends.
The Jinx attended the earliest Halloween party of the season, at a community center by the sea. It was two days before the full moon and the days might finally start to get chilly. The Jinx was excited to attend his first Halloween party, but he was also nervous. What would he wear? He had no idea what costumes humans wore. He decided to go as himself and flew to the party in a cloud of dark smoke.
Obscuro was getting excited for the upcoming Halloween party. It would be his first one of the season, and he was looking forward to dressing up in his favorite costume. He had white latex skin that made his face look like a mask, so he always stuck out in a crowd. But that was exactly why he loved going to Halloween parties- he loved the opportunity to show off his unique look.
Lucius Morte had never been to a Halloween party before. He had always been too busy tormenting the damned in the 4th level of hell to bother with earthly celebrations. But this year, he was feeling particularly restless and decided to venture out into the world of mortals. He found a community center by the sea that was hosting a Halloween party and decided to attend.
Vespera was so excited to go to the Halloween party. It was at a community center by the sea, and it would be her first party in a long time! She had been practicing her mime and charade skills for weeks, and she was determined to show everyone how good she was.
Gourdy Bane was very excited to attend the earliest Halloween party of the season. It was being held at a community center by the sea, and he loved the sound of waves crashing against the shore. When he arrived, he saw that the party was already in full swing. There were pumpkins everywhere, and people were dressed in costumes. Gourdy Bane saw a couple of gourds wearing pirate costumes, and he couldn’t help but laugh. He loved Halloween parties, and he was having a great time dancing to the music and eating candy.
Morrigana was very excited to attend the Halloween party at the community center by the sea. It was two days before the full moon, and the days were finally starting to get chilly. Morrigana had been working on her Halloween outfit all year long, and she was looking forward to showing it off.
William Wisp had been looking forward to the community center’s Halloween party all month long. It was going to be two days before the full moon, and he loved the smell of fall in the air (cinnamon and pumpkin spice). His Halloween costume was all ready to go, and he was excited to show it off to all of his friends. This year, he was dressed as a pumpkin. His little orange boots matched his little pumpkin body perfectly.
Mr. Creepers was all dressed up and ready to go to the community center by the sea for the earliest Halloween party of the season. It had been a long time since he’d been out and about, but he was feeling young at heart and ready to have some fun. He loved the black 1940s coat that he had found at a thrift store and felt confident that he would be the most stylish person at the party.
The Frankster had always loved Halloween. He loved the costumes, the candy, and most of all, the parties. This year, he was especially excited for the party at the community center by the sea. It was two days before the full moon, and he could feel a tiny bit of a cool autumn breeze in the air.
Wooblydook was really excited to attend the Halloween party at the community center by the sea. He had never been to one before, and he was looking forward to kale pulling and making neep lanterns. The party was two days before the full moon, and Wooblydook was hoping it would start to get chilly soon. He loved being out in the cold and feeling his bat-like ears flap in the wind.
As the sun began to set, the community center by the sea came to life. Lights flickered on, announcing that the earliest Halloween party of the season was about to start. A golden sun slowly rose in the sky, growing brighter and brighter as it got closer to the horizon. As it reached its peak, people whispered: this sun only came out at night. It was the Midnight Sun.