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Carolyn Elizabeth Kyle

1938 - 2018

BORN

1938

DIED

2018

About

San Diego State University University of Texas

Carolyn Kyle Obituary

Carolyn Elizabeth Kyle August 8, 1938 - August 7, 2018 SAN DIEGO Carolyn Elizabeth Kyle died August 7, 2018 in San Diego, CA one day shy of her 80th birthday. Carolyn was born August 8, 1938 in San Antonio, TX and attended the University of Texas until the birth of her first child. After raising three children, she went on to earn her MA in Anthropology from San Diego State University. Carolyn worked as an archaeologist, helping to preserve, catalog and study San Diego's local native prehistoric and historic past. She was endlessly curious, had a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and loved travel. Her hobbies included listening to public radio, reading the newspaper with a good cup of coffee surrounded by her dogs, researching delicious recipes, crossword puzzles, card stamping and visiting with dear friends and family. She is survived by her husband Peter Teaff, siblings Terry Lewis and Elaine Hamlin, three children Elizabeth Becker, Carl Becker, and Katherine Wheaton, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Carolyn will live on in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her.

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Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Aug. 14, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Carolyn Kyle

22 Entries

Carolyn Beckner

January 21, 2020

Carolyn and I met at the University of Texas around 1959 when our husbands were students there. Since my name was Carolyn Beckner and she was Carolyn Becker, at the time, and we looked so totally unalike, people frequently asked us it we were related? Our favorite answer was, "we are twins". Amazing how many people believed us! We always got tickled at that.

We visited over the years and both loved talking about our dogs and going to the San Diego Zoo and eating good food. What a cook she was!

We had many many years of good friendship even though she moved and I moved, but sadly we finally lost touch. I sent her a Christmas card this year with pictures of all our dogs and to let her know we were living in Hawaii. The card came back yesterday and I had a sad feeling about it. So terribly sorry to read she had passed.

She was smart and funny and a true friend.

She truly loved her children and my condolences to them and the grandchildren too.

Ann Yerkes

August 22, 2018

My favorite memories of Carolyn involve delicious food. She made beautiful vegetable cornucopias for at least a few weddings, including mine. I loved the elegant way she created and served meals. Carolyn was obviously brilliant. I remember thinking that her archaeology business appeared just as soon as she finished school and decided to make it so. My best to her family & friends.

Katie Schatz

August 22, 2018

I am Carolyns granddaughter. Growing up we would travel to San Diego to see her during the summer. I have so many memories of her beautiful garden and the canyon that her backyard turned into, of NPR playing in every room in the house all day long, and of the stories she would read to me of Egypt and other faraway lands as we cuddled in her bed. The story of Cleopatra was one of my favorites, I think it was one of hers too. Whenever I was at her home I remember feeling so content, so safe, so loved. Grandma traveled all over the world, I think I got my love for travel from her. Each new country she went to she would send my sister and I a doll. The dolls were kept in our TV room on this high shelf that bordered the room. As you can imagine it was pretty frightening to my friends who I would have over for sleep overs, but I loved it.
The last time I saw my Grandmother was 11 days before she passed. My sister and mom were taking a trip down to see her to introduce her to my sisters 4 month old daughter. I made the last minute decision to join them on their trip and I am so grateful that I did. The last memories I made with my Grandma I will forever cherish. I brushed and curled her hair, watched her play and love on her great granddaughter and taught her how to access NPR on her phone. As we left she was also leaving to go to a doctors appointment. I gave her a big hug and kiss and watched her get into the van. She had on her purple sunnies, new shirt and sweater we had bought her and she gave us a big smile. Then we all said see you later. We texted back and forth the next few days. She found out I was sick and messaged me to make sure I was okay. She was a really good Grandma.
Grandma, I wish we had lived closer and had more time to get to know each other as adults. You are greatly missed. Ill think of you whenever I hear NPR, whenever I get on a plane to go on an adventure, and whenever I hear my sisters laugh, which is basically identical to yours.
I love you. Rest easy.

Liz Becker

August 19, 2018

She was my mom for 57 years. It's strange and sad that's she's gone but she's left some great memories. Like cruising to Alaska. Great food. Fun travel stories. Cooking together. She told me last Mother's day that it had been an honor to be my mother. Maybe she knew her time was short. I miss you, Mom! My kids miss you. I hope you're at peace.

Liz Duffy

August 16, 2018

I wish I could do a quarter of the things this lovely lady did in her lifetime. The few times I saw her as an adult I really enjoyed her stories and everywhere I looked there was some really cool artifact sitting around her house that she could discuss in great detail ... During one of these visits was happy to have told her how much those hibachi burritos at La Jolla Cove during my teenage years meant to me. Last night I was out in the garden looking at this crazy metal flamingo she gave me years back, a few memories playing through my mind and realized how grateful I am. Sending Liz, Carl and Kathryn much love and comfort.

Lesley Mcclelland

August 16, 2018

Carolyn was my first Julian friend that I met randomly at the July 4 parade right after I moved to Julian . Because if her kindness I met wonderful people . For three years we dined together , texted almost daily and shared love of books, politics , fine food , and humor . Her wit and intellegence shined through her lovely smile . I miss her horribly and was so stunned as had just seen her 10 days before she left us . Got to see all the family pictures including the great grand babies ! My heart aches for her family and all of us who loved her dearly .

Nina Harris

August 15, 2018

Carolyn, great boss, teacher, mentor, friend. Will miss your stories and your wonderful laughter!

Tellin' more stories

Katherine Wheaton

August 14, 2018

With grandson Jason @ Jeremy's

Katherine Wheaton

August 14, 2018

Sneaking a picture

Katherine Wheaton

August 14, 2018

Tellin' stories

Katherine Wheaton

August 14, 2018

Little Leo

Katherine Wheaton

August 14, 2018

Sassy 80's mom

Katherine Wheaton

August 14, 2018

Katherine Wheaton

August 14, 2018

To me she was "Mom." She had this adventurous streak that was really admirable. She pulled me out of elementary school on multiple occasions to travel around Mexico in our Greyhound bus for weeks or months at a time. She taught me to appreciate and see beauty in other cultures. She continued her love of travel and scratched most destinations off her bucket list. After each trip, we would spend hours going through each of the treasures she had brought back. There was always a story..or two..or five.. to go along with each one! There are many Mom-isms I miss - her hand gestures, "oh boy!", her cooking, her playful and impish childlike qualities that would show themselves every so often. No doubt there will be many more discovered during this new journey. Thank you for it all, mom. I miss you.

PS I included this silly picture because getting a picture of her was next to impossible! This was a one of those playful moments I will treasure.

August 14, 2018

Lauren Neumayer

August 14, 2018

I wish we had more time. I love you grandma. I will cherish the stories you told me about your pregnancies while I was pregnant with Esther. That was a very special time for me. I'll see you on the other side.

mike felder

August 14, 2018

Carolyn you will be missed and forever loved....

Vick Kellis

August 14, 2018

Sending love to family and friends.

Lauren Neumayer

August 14, 2018

Dayle Cheever

August 14, 2018

I had the great pleasure and honor of working with Carolyn and also maintaining a special friendship with her since the early 1980s. She and I were classmates at SDSU and eventually we worked together as environmental consultants. Carolyn was a supportive and loving friend and co-worker. She had so many great, funny stories of growing up in Texas and raising her family. She was a gourmet cook and a meal at her house was sure to be memorable. She loved to garden and had an amazing collection of cookbooks. For many years Carolyn took amazing trips around the world and I was fortunate to spend Christmas with her in Sicily in 2001. What a fun trip.