Obituary

Bellingham, Washington

Jennie LaVonne Howell, a remarkable and much-loved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away of cancer Friday, December 20th at the age of 82. Jennie was born March 21, 1931 in the small town of Riddle, Oregon, the youngest of 5 children born to Alfred and Ethel Howard. Jennie worked as a secretary in a lumber mill prior to her marriage to R.E. “Gene” Howell in Roseburg, OR in 1953. She became a full-time homemaker after her sons were born, a role she enjoyed above all others. She involved herself in all her son’s activities and loved the time spent with her family while camping, boating, hunting, and fishing together. She also was devoted to her extended-family and many vacations and holidays were spent together. In 1957 the family moved from Roseburg to Coos Bay, Oregon, and then to Bellingham in 1965 following Gene’s jobs in the forest products industry. In 1973 Jennie and Gene purchased and then operated H & H Outdoor Sports together in Bellingham for nearly 20 years, where they met many great friends. In her retirement years, Jennie kept constantly busy with family, friends, church, and creating a magnificent backyard garden. Jennie was a member of Bellingham Covenant Church, and a member and former president of the St. Joseph Hospital Mary Knight Auxiliary. Jennie’s family and friends were her greatest joy. She is survived by her son Scott Howell and his wife Lois, son Brad Howell and wife Nancy, grandchildren Katie and Pat Little, Ryan and Adrienne Howell, Megan and Justin Mattix, Hunter Howell, and Brant Howell, as well as great-grandchildren Isabel, Markus, Caleb, Eli, and Bailey. She loved to “hug the stuffin out” of her children and grandchildren. Jennie was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Gene, her twin infant daughters, her parents and all of her siblings. Jennie will be remembered as an energetic person who loved to “do” for others, who was always positive and optimistic, and who dedicated her life to blessing others by doing unassuming acts of kindness and service. Jennie’s warm caring smile won her friends wherever she went, even in her last weeks. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Farewell Tribute Information

A memorial service will be held Friday, January 10th, at 2:00 pm at Bellingham Covenant Church, 1530 E Bakerview Rd, Bellingham, WA. Donations Information

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Bellingham Covenant Church or Whatcom Hospice House in Jennie’s honor. Donations Links:

Whatcom Hospice
Bellingham Covenant Church