Celia Oliver of Salem, Massachusetts died at the age of 90 on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. Born on July 1, 1932 in Beirut, Lebanon, Celia was the youngest child of Kenneth and Elsie (Mills) Oliver.

Granddaughter of British Quaker missionaries and daughter of a physician who taught at the American University of Beirut, Celia's early years were spent in Lebanon. At age eight, after World War II broke out, Celia was sent for her safety to a French convent boarding school in Jerusalem, where she remained for 5 years. At the end of the war, her family settled in the United States.

Celia attended the Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania and Goucher College in Baltimore and Towson, Maryland. In Baltimore she met William (Bill) Stephenson Hare, an engineering student at Johns Hopkins University. They were married in 1954, living in Baltimore, Anchorage, and Germany where Kim, their only child, was born. Bill died tragically in 1961 and Celia and Kim moved to the Boston area. In 1965 she married Walter Withers, adding four grown step-sons to her life. They lived in Weston, MA, Pittsburgh, PA, West Hartford and Rocky Hill, CT during their 30 year marriage. In 1995 Celia moved to Salem, Massachusetts to be near her daughter's family and remained there for the rest of her life.

Her varied work life included work as a social worker, travel agent, and many years as a medical assistant in Hartford. Passions included cats and dogs, gardening, and most especially her grandchildren and new great granddaughter.

Celia is survived by her daughter Kim (Laurie) Brengle, grandchildren Will and Abby Brengle, (Brandon Sady), and great granddaughter Lily Sady. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Connie Oliver, nieces Sara Swaim, Robin Oliver, and Laurie Taylor, and their families. Step-sons Kent, Scott (Marjorie), and Donn survive Celia also. Celia was predeceased by her husband, Bill Hare and ex-husband Walt Withers. In addition, she was predeceased by her sister Alison and brothers Bruce and Peter Oliver, step-son Todd Withers and his son Max Withers.

We are grateful for the loving care Celia received during her final year at the John Bertram House of Salem. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, December 5 at 11 am at the Church of St. Andrew, 135 Lafayette St, Marblehead, MA. In lieu of flowers contributions would be welcomed to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970 or the John Bertram House, 29 Washington Sq, Salem, MA 01970. For more information or online guestbook, please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.