Carole Cecile Kemp

She was born on December 26, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, to Steve and Aileen (Ryan) Haller. During High School she worked as a Telephone Operator for the phone company in 1956.

After High School, Carole joined the Air Force. She was stationed at Omaha, Nebraska.  It was here that she met Robert Kemp who was stationed at March Air Force Base in Southern California.  They were married on August 10, 1957, and moved to California. 

They subsequently purchased the family’s home in Buena Park, CA in 1961. Their family grew to four children, Robert, Catherine, David, and Michael were born.  While very busy raising her family and attending St Pius V Catholic Church, Carole was active in the PTA, Camp Fire Girls and Little League.  A lifelong learner, avid reader and writer, Carole returned to school to pursue her love of Journalism, earning a BA degree from Cal State Fullerton. She reported for several newspapers including The Fullerton Tribune, The Daily Pilot and the Orange County Register.  Following her successful career, she eventually worked as a Technical Writer at Ford Aerospace before retiring.  

After the marriage ended, Carole met her partner Alan Westney and soon they were enjoying their retirement years traveling and spending time with their blended family, which included Alan’s children Merriann, Kathy and Alan jr and his grandchildren. Like most pursuits she set her sights on, she was an ace ‘billiards shark. She and Alan enjoyed great success playing in their local pool league. Carole also was a valued volunteer at the Buena Park Police Department.  Sadly, Alan passed away in 2018.  As a fiercely independent woman, she remained in her Buena Park, CA lifelong home until her passing.  

Carole was preceded in death by her parents Steve and Aileen Haller and her beloved partner, Alan.  Carole is survived by her brother, Tom Haller of Chicago, Ill. and her beloved four children and their spouses, Robert Kemp, (fiancée Kristina), Catherine Kemp, David Kemp (Marybeth), and Michael Kemp) (Jaylee),  nine grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren, and her loving niece Katherine Wright Hogan of Redmond, Oregon.