Kathleen Bailey

Kathleen Bailey May 6, 1940 - July 5, 2022 Oceanside, CA --- Respected San Diego Realtor Kathleen Bailey, 82, passed away July 5, 2022, at her home in Oceanside CA, with her children by her side. She died peacefully after her heart and lungs failed following a 2012 diagnosis of leukemia. Kathleen fought a brave, daily battle, with the support of her friends and family. Her courage and enduring hope were an inspiration to everyone around her. Kathleen was born May 6, 1940, in Elgin TX, the first of identical twins born to Bernice and Taylor Bailey. Raised in Needles CA, she graduated from Needles High in 1958, then moved to Flagstaff to attend NAU. She worked that summer in Disneyland, serving such customers as Walt Disney and honeymooners Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. In her 20s, she began work as secretary to the treasurer of 20th Century Fox. In the 1980s, Kathleen moved to La Jolla CA, where she remained for 20 years, operating a secretarial service. She moved to San Diego in 2003, and in 2005 became a Realtor, working in San Diego and Oceanside until shortly before her death. Her tenacity, professionalism and kindness earned her the respect of her clients, colleagues, and fellow Realtors. Kathleen is survived by her daughter, Judy Russell; her son, Clint (Maria) Russell; grandchildren Jasmine Yee and Douglas and Jesse Russell; her twin sister, Eileen Bailey; her nieces, Kelly Calzaretta, Shelly (Michael) Mullins, and Laurie (Tim Fitzmaurice) Brooks and their families; and 20 first cousins. She will be missed by all who knew her well, and especially by Eileen, with whom she shared many phone hours daily. Kathleen wanted her friends and family to gather for a party to celebrate her life, to be held Sept. 10, 3-6 p.m. at El Corazon Senior Center in Oceanside. RSVP: 310-210-8206. Kathleen's ashes will be buried in the Bailey family plot on Nov. 4 in Needles CA. Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jul. 10, 2022.