Service planned for lifelong Solana Beach resident Pearl Kinzel

By Kathy Day

Catherine Pearl Kinzel, who was a year old when her family moved to Solana Beach in 1924, was 88 when she died Jan. 19, 2012 – two weeks after her sister, Miltreta Hagenburger, who lived in Encinitas.

Catherine, who was described by her daughter Laura K. Brunnell of Manhattan Beach as a “very quiet, stately lady,” was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Leroy. He died in 2001. The pair met while attending beauty/barber college in San Diego and for years ran a barbershop in Encinitas.

“They worked and worked until they had enough money to buy a lot at 504 Pacific Ave. (in Solana Beach) and build their dream home,” Brunnell said. But because her mother loved the ocean, they sold that home 15 years ago and purchased another home on the bluff side at 325 Pacific Ave.

Even into her later years, Catherine tended to the hair and beauty needs of many of her neighbors, her daughter said.

Until two years ago ago, Catherine walked three miles a day, slowing down to just a mile a year ago. She also swam regularly at the Sand Pebbles Resort “where everyone knew her,” she added.

She also “stayed connected with the Solana Beach gang,” often dining with them at Tony’s Jacal, and was involved with the Solana Beach Presbyterian Church and the chamber of commerce.

A graduate of San Dieguito High School, she was named the most beautiful girl in her class. Someone from Life magazine spotted a photo of her, Brunnell recalled. “They came and took photos of her and put her on the cover.”

People often said she looked like Jackie Kennedy Onassis, she added.

In addition to daughter Laura, Catherine was survived by daughter Macy Kinzel, and five grandchildren. Catherine was preceded in death by her son George.

A memorial gathering is planned for 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Kinzel home, 325 Pacific Ave., Solana Beach.

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Posted by Staff on Jan 20, 2012. Filed under News, Solana Beach. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry