Cecile "Ceal" Van Tyne

Cecile “Ceal” Brumfield Van Tyne, aged 67, passed away peacefully in Frisco, TX on May 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Ceal was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend whose life was filled with love, laughter and a deep commitment to her faith and her family.

Born in Portsmouth, VA on November 6, 1957, Ceal’s life was defined by her dedication to her family and faith. She graduated from Williams High School in Plano, TX in 1975, having played the flute in the marching band. That same year, she met David Van Tyne when he worked at the Campbell Road Exxon station in Richardson, TX. They were married at Arapaho United Methodist Church in Richardson, TX on November 18, 1978. Together they built a beautiful family which included son, John David (JD) Van Tyne, daughter Stefani Lynn Van Tyne Trout, son-in-law Andrew Trout, and her cherished grandsons Mason and Lucas, undoubtedly the apples of her eye. Before choosing to devote her life to raising her family, Ceal attended the Executive Secretarial School of Dallas, graduating in 1976. She excelled professionally as an executive secretary for 17 years at the E.F. MacDonald Company until the birth of her second child Stefani in 1992.

Ceal enjoyed spending quality time with family, including gatherings throughout the year for holidays and birthdays. She harbored a passion for literature and was an avid reader. She typically read up to 80 books a year and was quoted as saying “too many books, not enough time”. She recently contributed as a proofreader for one of her favorite authors, Bette Lee Crosby, and was even featured as a character in one of her books. She enjoyed many genres of music and attending live concerts – Def Leppard, Bryan Adams, Elton John, Josh Groban and Tom Jones to name a few. During any free time not spent doting on her grandsons, she would watch some television, including the Hallmark Channel, soaps, reality competition shows and cheering on Dallas-area sports teams.

In addition to her immediate family, Ceal is survived by her siblings, Cathy Brumfield Mendoza, John Brumfield, Doug Brumfield and wife Terri; sister-in-law Sheri Van Tyne and brothers-in-law Rick Van Tyne and wife Sharon, and Michael Van Tyne and wife Laura. Surviving nephews and nieces include Connor Mendoza and wife Chelsea, their children Aniyah, Skylar, Easton, Makena and Carson; Eric Van Tyne and wife Lorna, their sons Liam and Landon, and Michael’s daughter Anya Van Tyne.

Ceal was preceded in death by her parents, Estil and Shirley Brumfield, and her grandparents, Cecil E. & Anthea Brumfield and Len & Ada Skaggs, as well as her in-laws Dick and Kathy Van Tyne.

Her legacy of love, warmth, laughter, joy and kindness will forever live in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She will be greatly missed.