The Cariboo lost a descendant of its pioneer families with the death of Evelyn Jean Baehr on Oct. 20, 2014 at the Williams Lake Seniors Village.
Jean was born March 3, 1925 in Ashcroft, BC, the third daughter of Charles and Evelyn (Pollard) Robertson. Her mother died at an early age and Jean and her older sisters, Ena and Ruby, were raised by her father and Aunt Carrie Engeman, until Charles remarried some years later.
Jean grew up on the family ranch in Clinton and attended school there until Grade 10, the highest level of schooling then available in Clinton. She then attended a business college in Kelowna, BC and upon finishing her own program, taught at this institution for several years.
In 1952, she accepted a position as a secretary for the RCMP in Whitehorse, Yukon. Following her love for travel, she moved to London, England, and worked there for several years before touring Europe and returning to Naramata, BC to work at the Naramata Centre. In 1959 she completed her high school graduation by correspondence and entered the U.B.C. Faculty of Education attaining her degree in 1962. She taught in Chilliwack and Gibsons Landing before accepting a three year position at a Christian Seminar House in Kyoto, Japan. Upon returning to Canada she taught at Merritt, BC and the College of New Caledonia in Prince George. Here she met and married Joe Baehr in 1978 and moved to the Baehr Stock Farm at Woodpecker.
Both Jean and Joe were very hard workers and enjoyed the ranching life. Despite health issues, they operated the farm until 2011, when they retired and moved to Williams Lake.
Jean was predeceased by her husband Joseph Baehr, parents Charles and Evelyn (Pollard) Robertson, sisters, Ruby Robertson, Ena Reeder, and Sandra Wagner, and sisters-in-law Kate Loreth, and Alma Baehr, brothers-in-law, William and Paul Baehr.
She is survived by her brother, Bob (Marlene) Robertson, in-Iaws, John (Jane) Baehr, Anne Fischer, and Mary Baehr as well as many cousins, nephews, nieces and numerous friends.
A Service of Remembrance will be held Oct. 25, 2014 at 11:00 am at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 450 Pigeon Ave. Williams Lake, BC. Reception to follow at Compassionate Care Funerals, 180 Comer Street, Williams Lake, BC. Those wishing to honour Jean’s memory by way of donation may do so to a favourite charity. Her cremated remains will be inurned at a later date in the Clinton Pioneer Cemetery.
Compassionate Care Funerals entrusted with all arrangements. 250-392-3336