Stevensville – Jeannette Lee Lingel, beloved wife and mother, passed away of natural causes at age 87 on Monday, February 3, at BeeHive Homes of Hamilton. She was preceded by Edward W. Lingel in 2001.
Lee was born, the fifth child of six in a blended family, on December 1, 1932 in Butte, Montana to Joshua Pendelton Lightfoot and his wife, Clara Rosetta Lightfoot (nee Francis). Her family moved to Central Park when she was an infant where she grew up roaming in the countryside and communing with the natural world. On Feb. 25, 1951, Lee married Edward W. Lingel in Bozeman, MT.
Shortly after their wedding, Lee and Ed embarked on a journey as a U.S. Air Force family and she became a mother of three girls, Shirley Ann, Caron Lee, and Mary Clare. Lee was a strong and compassionate woman who placed the care of her family at the top of all concerns throughout the many moves during Ed’s military career. She shared her lifelong love of learning with Ed and brought it to her various roles as a mother, grandmother, executive secretary, magazine editor, swim coach, conservationist, typing and shorthand teacher, cat and dog rescuer, and volunteer. Lee and Ed moved to their beloved state of Montana, settling in Stevensville in 1993 after Ed’s military career. Lee’s love of nature and animals continued throughout her life and brought her peace during her many years in Montana.
She is survived by her three daughters Shirley McKibbin, Caron Richardson and Mary Clare Lingel, in-laws Bobbie McKibbin, Steve Richardson, and George Gary, grandchildren Lindsay Haycock and her husband Shane Haycock, Chris Richardson and his wife Nicole Richardson, Emma Gary and great grandchildren Paxton Carnesecca, Celia Richardson, Elliot Richardson, Jaxson Haycock and McKenzie Haycock. Lee is also survived by her sister Beverly Schmidt and her family.
The family tentatively plans a memorial gathering in July for both Lee and Ed at the family home in Stevensville.