Jean Marie Bellamy, 87

Jean Marie Bellamy, age 87, of Coeur d’ Alene passed away peacefully October 7, 2018 at Pacifica Senior Living in Coeur d’ Alene. Jean was born July 6, 1931 in Spokane, Washington to Eldon and Goldie (Kendig) Jaeger, the first of five children. The family didn’t have a lot of money back then but what they did have was each other, and a lot of love. Desserts were a rarity back then and the kids didn’t get ice-cream often, but Jean made up for that later in life with her never ending love of chocolate sweets and Cool-Whip.

Jean attended schools in Kellogg, graduating from Kellogg High School in 1949, that same year being named “Queen of the Harvest Ball.” After high school Jean started work at the telephone company in Kellogg. It wasn’t long before mutual friends introduced her to Jim Bellamy of Silverton, Idaho who became the love of her life and husband. Jim joined the U.S. Air Force in 1950 and, upon completion of basic training, he returned to North Idaho with just enough time to marry Jean and take her back East with him to begin their lives as a military couple. After Jim left for active duty overseas, Jean returned to Kellogg and waited for his return.

After Jim’s honorable discharge from the Air Force he returned to his bride in Kellogg and the two headed off to the University of Idaho where Jim finished his studies, graduating from the School of Architecture in 1958. His first job was at an architectural firm in Boise, Idaho and it was there the couple’s dreams of beginning a family came true with the arrival of daughter Sue in 1959. His next job took the family to Spokane, WA where their joy doubled with the addition of son David in 1961. The family then moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1964 when Jim opened his own office where Jean worked as the office manager on-and-off over the next several years.

The couple purchased a turn-of-the-century brick farmhouse located at the base of Stanley Hill around this same time which they later completed an extensive remodel on. But Jean’s true dream-home became reality in the late 80’s when the couple downsized to a beautiful home on the Coeur d’Alene Golf Course with a swimming pool! Most summer days you’d find her with a smile on her face, floating carelessly about her pool. When the weather changed Jean, an active reader, could be found cozying up with a good book or showing off her knitting skills with one of her custom hats, gloves or other clothing gems.

Jean took an active role at St. Thomas Church serving with the Catholic Daughters of America and volunteering for numerous efforts and causes. Jean and Jim both loved to explore the back roads of the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada and also took trips to the northeast, as well as the

trip-of-a -lifetime to England and Germany. Over the years Jean remained faithful to her Kellogg High School ladies group and many cousins, attending gatherings regularly until physically unable to.

Jean is survived by a daughter, Sue Bellamy and husband, Rick King of Butte, MT; a son, David Bellamy and Lori Bowers of Medford, OR; brother ,Jim Jaeger of Osburn, ID; sisters, Carol Poulson of Hermiston, OR and Winnie DeJanovich of Spokane, WA; brother-in-law, Bill Sorenson of Hermiston, OR; six grandchildren, five great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her surviving siblings unanimously say that Jean was the best big sister a kid could ever have. Jean will be greatly missed not only by her family but also by her many friends and those whose lives she touched.

The funeral mass will be at 11:30 A.M. Friday, October 12, 2018 at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene, 919 E. Indiana Ave., Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83814 with a reception after the services.

Burial will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials to the Kootenai Humane Society, 11650 N. Ramsey Road, Hayden, ID 83835, www.kootenaihumanesociety.com.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Jean’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.