Celeste Tyree

Celest Tyree

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Celestine “Celeste” Marita Tyree (Tortorella), a beloved wife, sister, mother, and grandmother. Celeste, 69, of Enumclaw, WA, left us on December 15, 2023, at MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, surrounded by the love of her family and close friends, following a sudden heart attack.

Celeste’s journey began on Saturday, April 3rd, 1954, in Mt Vernon, NY, where she was born to Frank Daniel and Mary Tortorella. She grew up in Patchogue, Long Island, NY where she graduated from Bellport, High School in 1972. In the winter of 1978, Celeste and her former husband George traveled in a station wagon with two children and 1 dog “Scamp” across the United States to plant her roots in Kent, WA. This exceedingly long trip according to her daughters took 5 and a half days through the snow.

She embraced the beauty and warmth of the Pacific Northwest by enjoying her love for photography and taking thousands of pictures of nature, highland cows, antique cars, and taking photos yearly at the Tulip Festival. Her family will miss seeing her behind the shutter of her camera, but she ensured to pass along the love of photography to her Children and her Grandson, Marschae.

Celeste loved traveling the World with not only her Husband, Jim but also her son, Robert (Bobby) and Granddaughter Brittany as they traveled to too many places to name and count. These precious moments will forever live in their hearts and will inspire the family to continue to travel and take her with them when they travel to the places she always wanted to visit like Central Park in New York to ride the horse and carriage.

In 2015, Celeste’s life took on new meaning when she crossed paths with Jim Hallman. They married on May 15, 2019, on their dream property in Enumclaw where they started their greatest adventure in life. Jim became not only her Husband but a source of unwavering support and love. They enjoyed designing their home where they raised their dogs and spent time exploring their property along the creek.

On Friday or Saturday nights, you could catch Celeste and Jim out in Kent doing karaoke, where if you heard, Don’t Go Breaking my heart by Elton John and Kiki Dee or Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around by Stevie Nicks, chances are it was Celeste on the microphone.

She is predeceased by her father Frank Tortorella and Mother Mary Tortorella.

Celeste’s memory will forever be cherished by her loving Husband, Jim Hallman, Children; Kristina Nelson (Ron), April, and Robert (Erin), Grandchildren; Brittany (Franklin), Katie, Marschae, DaShaun, Lillian, and the anticipated arrival of future granddaughter Josephine, sister, Francine (Tim), brother, Daniel, niece, Jacqueline, nephew, Craig and numerous cousins and longtime friends.

Celeste is also survived by her former spouse, George Hoffmann Jr., and former spouse Robert Tyree III.

Celeste’s presence touched the lives of many with her kindness, warmth, and generosity. She was strong willed and stubborn at times (Italian heritage), but she also had an enormous heart and giving nature to her.

Celeste was a pillar of strength for her family and will be deeply missed from her answering phone calls from all of us no matter the time of day. She was a beautiful person inside and out. Her smile was so stunning it would light up the whole room. She cared deeply for the people around her. She was emphatically kind and passionate. She made an impact on many lives.

Celeste Marita Tyree will be forever missed.

12/15/2023  Forever in our hearts.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 17th at 11am.

New Life Church-Renton Campus, 15711 152nd Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058