 Her father, Ben Brown (1848–1926), was part of the successful variety group, Brown, Newland & Le Clerc.Her mother, Marie Loftus (1857–1940), an actress, pantomimic, and music hall performer, who was only 18 years old when Cecilia was born, later became a star of burlesque, billed as "The Sarah Bernhardt of the Halls".She was given an education at the Convent of the Holy Child, Raikes Parade, Blackpool, England which moved in 1890 to the premises at Layton Hill Convent, Blackpool which it still occupies although now, after various name changes, splits and mergers, it is known as St. Mary's Catholic College.