Obituary

Annabel Breakey, Belle, Mom, and Gran-Gran to all of us, died on November 25, 2015, at the age of 91, after a 20 plus year battle with Alzheimer’s disease, and a shorter but valiant fight against cancer. After the passing of her husband, Ray Breakey, on September 11, 2010, Annabel was cared for in her own home until her death.
Belle was born on November 17, 1924 to Samuel Higginson and Denaige Marie Gauthier-Higginson. She was one of four children, and is survived by her brother, James E. Higginson, and her sister, Diane Marie Munsen, both of Bellingham.
Belle’s mother dreamt of an education for her children and so, after being raised in Beaver Cove, B.C. until she was 14, the family moved to Abbottsford so that Belle could attend high school. Following high school, Belle graduated from St. Paul’s School of Nursing in 1947.
At the age of 16, Belle met the love of her life, Raymond J. Breakey, when he fell off a horse and landed in her lap. WWII separated them for six year. On November 15, 1947 Belle and Raymond were married. Their almost 63 years of marriage was an amazing example of what a marriage should look like.
After the birth of their four children; Lynn, Lee, Gail, and Buck, Belle and Ray thought their family was complete. However, life sometimes gives you the unexpected, and in 1958 when Belle’s beloved mother was injured in a car accident, her brother, Jim, and sister, Diana became part-time members of the family. (The rest of the time they were with Sam and Louise Higginson).
Biological grandchildren and “claimed grandchildren” all speak of their wonderful memories with their “Pop-Pop and Gran-Gran.” One special memory is Gran sledding down the driveway with them in her ever present dress. The grandchildren are; Kendra (Brett), Jami (Trevor), Craig (Denise), Jaylani, Chad (Julie), Jenaige (Ralph), Leah, Shar, Jim-Ray (Crystal), Sarah (Chris), Jake (Lindsay), Andy (Heather), Bud (Deborah), Ryan, and Caleb (Brittney).
The great-grandchildren adored her and, even though she was slowly losing her memory, she adored them. They are; Kylor, Jade, Austin, Djennika, Karson, Isabella, Ben, Ayla, Kailea, Isaac, Nevaeh, Janzen, Fisher, Ginny, Levi, Kallista, Colten, Finn, Bronson, Sawyer, Luke, Kaylin, Brooklynn, Lauren, and Justin.
Belle loved family and hosted family dinners almost weekly for many years. Her Christmas Sing-Song was legendary and the Easter Egg Hunts with huge family dinners following were looked forward to every year. Her “lake” was a dream that she and Pop provided for all of us and we use it still.
Belle attended The Lynden Gospel Hall after being saved at Evangelical Gospel Meetings led by preachers Wallace Cudmore and Andy Bergsma on April 4, 1958. Many of us found Christ as a result of Gran’s teachings and her dream was that our family circle would not be broken and that we would meet again one day in Heaven.
The last five years of Belle’s life were bittersweet as she mourned the loss of her lifetime partner and slowly slipped further and further in Alzheimer’s. Her ability to remember our names was gone, but she expressed her love for her family and faithful caregivers in new ways easily recognized by those who were around her. She was gracious to the very last day of her life, always trying to do as much as she could for herself, never complaining, and always thanking you with her eyes. She was called by her Lord and Savior on November 25 at 2:30am.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 18, 2015 at 2:00PM at Immanuel Bible Church (2000 W. North St. Bellingham).
Please share your memories of Belle at wordpress-271002-1416095.cloudwaysapps.com