Obituary of Celestine Bennett

Celestine Holloway-Bennett, age 60, died September 1, 2015, at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, Ca. Born February 23, 1955 in Salinas, California; she was a Blessing to her parents, the late Ruthie Lean Ferrell-Holloway and Roy Holloway. She was one of two children. She has Joyfully lived and remained a resident on the Monterey Peninsula for 60 years. She was a product of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School system. After graduating she attended MPC, and upon completing her studies at MPC she was employed at Firestone Tires. This is what we believe inspired her to use those same long wearing tires for her Well known RED Van to her Blue Suburban for the many frequent trips up and down the highways and byways to the San Jose Flea market and all shopping centers with all the community children in tow with her. She also went on to enjoy a 20 yr. tenure in the medical field. After raising her own biological children she went on to mentor dozens of foster children. She was known throughout the community as a generous lady with a gift of hospitality. The children she nurtured and fostered considered her their grandparent and friend, so much that she was referred to as G'MA. She always provided them motherly care and excellent advice. She enjoyed all of her community involvement. She was a dedicated Volunteer of several community service programs that include the following, Monterey Youth Employment Training Program, Troop Mom for Brownies and Girl Scouts, 35 yrs. in the school PTA, Monterey County Youth Probation Dept., the Monterey Peninsula Salvation Army, the Teen Outreach Program, The transitions recovery and reentry programs (for ex-offenders after release to become once again productive members of society.) She is Survived by 5 Children, Camille Bennett- Stringer, Gary Hood, Audra Bennett- Walton, Jason Bennett, of Seaside, Ca, and DeJuan Bennett of Phoenix, Az. She has 16 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren, and an exuberant amount of god children ranging from her first and oldest: Ms. Kimberly Edwards age 43 to her youngest one Ms. Andrea Marie Jamerson. She also is survived by her sister Thelma McIntosh of Marina, Ca. She also leaves a host of relatives and special friends and church Family. She gave spiritual service at: Hays CME Church of Seaside Ca, Emmanuel Cogic in Seaside, Ca, The Greater Victory Temple of Seaside, Ca, Community Baptist Church of Pacific Grove, Ca, and at the time of her passing she was serving at Holy Assembly Missionary Baptist Church of Marina, Ca.