Betty Jakel
Jean Annette Beatrice Jakel, better known to all her friends and family as, Betty, passed away peacefully at Cariboo Memorial Hospital at the age of 85, April 24, 2004 with her family by her side.
A celebration of life for Betty was held April 29, 2004 at Alexis Creek Community Hall.
Betty was born to Walter and Florence Keeble in Kamloops, July 19, 1918.
Betty was raised on the Gang Ranch where her dad Walter was bookkeeper and ran the store and took her schooling at Saint Ann’s Academy in Kamloops.
Walter passed away in 1937 and is buried in Lytton.
Betty and her mom, Florence, moved to Williams Lake after Betty graduated from St. Ann’s.
Betty worked at the Bank of Montreal and in 1940 ran for Stampede Queen and won.
Shortly after becoming Stampede Queen Betty met and married Percy Pigeon who flew for the famed Dam Buster Squadron during the Second World War, and continued in the RCAF until retiring in Greenwood, Nova Scotia in June of 1962.
Percy and Betty moved to Alexis Creek in 1962 to take over the Pigeon General Store, which Percy’s dad, Eddie Pigeon, ran. Percy passed away on March 23, 1967.
Jean later married a long time and very good friend, Gordon Jakel, who ran Chilcotin Garage in Alexis Creek for many years.
After selling the garage in the 1970s Betty and Gordon spent their lives fishing, gardening in the summer, and heading south to Arizona in the winter months.
Betty is survived by her loving husband of 36 years Gordon; sons Russ (Lana); twins Greg (Louise), and Ken (Bev); seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The family appreciates the support they received from June Bliss, Fred and Sharon Bare, Bruce and Verna Pollard, Jeanette McLennan, and all their friends at Alexis Creek.
They also received wonderful support from the nurses and student nurses on the second floor of Cariboo Memorial Hospital; Hospice volunteers, Palliative Care and Rev. Sandra Sugden and Luc La Prairie and many friends who came to visit.