Obituary of Kathleen Jane Haile

Kathleen Jane Haile passed away June 6th; she was 81 years old. She was born to Irish parents and remained very proud of her Irish heritage throughout her life. Her mother arrived through Ellis Island from Dublin, Ireland. As a young girl and being the person that she was, she gathered many friends. One of which was her next door neighbor, Donald Haile. Don was known to say that he was smitten with that little blue eyed, hop scotching, neighbor of his. She was 9 years old when they first met. Don proudly took her to his senior prom when she was only in the 8th grade. "Kay", as she was known to her friends, said she always wanted two little girls and God blessed her with exactly that. She and her young family lived in San Rafael. Years went by, and, as fate would have it, Kay called upon her friend, Don, who was practicing law in Santa Cruz. She needed his advice about a problem, and he agreed to meet her in San Francisco. That was Don's big break. They were married on July 11, 1963 at the Calvary Episcopal Church in Santa Cruz. Kay's little girls were by her side. They bought their home on Bradley Drive in Santa Cruz and began their life together. Don and Kay were very active in the community in which they lived. Elks, Rotary, Omega Nu, Daisy and Children's Home Society are just a few of the organizations they were involved in. Their travels were extensive. They traveled all through Europe and returned there often. They loved skiing the Austrian Alps. They traveled to China, Japan, Africa and the Holy land. Don and Kay proudly attended the Vienna Ball. They sailed on the Queen Elizabeth 2 to Europe and flew home from France on the Concord. They spent decades skiing with great friends, making annual trips to Aspen and Sun Valley. They loved to sail their boat, the "Papillion". They would sail out on the Wednesday night races and were happy as long as they weren't coming in last. Don and Kay had a rich social life. Kay was known as "the life of the party" and was often the first one to dance on the table. Kay loved to entertain. In 1977, Kay got her real estate license and quickly became a very successful realtor in Santa Cruz County. Kay was thrilled when another chapter opened in her life. Her grandchildren came along. She was blessed with three. She took great interest in their activities. She never missed a football game, soccer game or track meet. She was a stickler for good grammar and never hesitated to correct her loved ones, if needed. She often credited her two Aunts for instilling the importance of proper etiquette and setting a lovely table. Kay took great pride in all these things. Kay's loving and devoted husband, Don, died in 1995. Kay bravely began a new life keeping busy with her many endeavors, friends, Bridge, and of recent time her passion for Mah Jongg. She had a social calendar that could rival a woman half her age. She believed the key to happiness was keeping her dance card full. Kay will be remembered for her inner and outer beauty, flare for decorating and her fashion sense. (When she would recall a memory from her past it always started with "I remember the dress I was wearing" and describe it in great detail.) She loved life and lived it to the fullest. Kay is survived by her two daughters Colleen Onishi and Susan Ueberrhein, and their husbands Erick Onishi and Bill Ueberrhein, and her grandchildren Mike, Scott and Christine. A memorial to celebrate Kay's life will be held at the Calvary Episcopal Church in Santa Cruz on Friday July 31, 2015 at 1:00. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Rotary, Omega Nu or your favorite charity.