Jacqueline Bechtel of Big Lake passed away on Saturday June 14, 2008. Jacque was born in San Antonio, Texas on March 3, 1942, the daughter of Jacqueline Cook and William Henry Cook II. As the daughter of an Air Force Colonel, Jacque lived in several places throughout the United States including: Louisiana, Kansas, Florida, New Mexico, California and Washington. Jacque also spent some of her childhood in Okinawa, Occupied Japan. Jacque's parents made Mount Vernon their home in the 1950's. Jacque graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1960 and then enrolled in Skagit Valley Junior College in 1963, and then went on to receive an education degree from Western Washington State College in 1966. While earning her way through college Jacque worked as a nurse at Northern State Hospital. Jacque met her husband, Kenneth Charles in 1960 and married on September 29, 1961 at the United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon. Jacque gave birth to her son Kenneth Alan in 1963 and her daughter Corrine Denise in 1974. Attending school full time and later working full time, Jacque always put her children first raising them with much love and devotion. Jacque began her teaching career at Big Lake Elementary School and taught several grades until she began teaching English for more than 20 years at Sedro-Woolley High School. Jacque facilitated many extra curricular activities while at Sedro-Woolley High. She was Ski program coordinator. soccer coach, debate coach and yearbook advisor. As Ski program coordinator, Jacque put together many memorable trips to Lake Louise, Alberta Canada. Jacque had a sense of adventure. After retiring from teaching, she continued to pursue her passions of traveling and antiquing. Jacque enjoyed travels to Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, New York and China. Before traveling to China, Jacque studied the Chinese language for four years at Skagit Valley College. Jacque loved garage sales, and amongst her travels, she enjoyed looking for antiques to sell in the shops she had in Sedro-Woolley. While traveling, it was not uncommon for Jacque to make a detour if a garage sale or antique shop sign was spotted. Jacque was an avid reader who always had her nose in a book. Jacque loved nature and being outdoors. She loved to garden and spent countless hours attending her rose and garden spots around her home. Jacque maintained beautiful grounds on the five acres where she lived in Big Lake. One could liken her yard to a park with flowers, trees and shrubs native to Washington, a koi pond, fountain, vegetable garden and the humming bird feeders were always full. She was an animal lover who grew up with pets around. At one time she had a small farm at her place in Big Lake, raising goats, chickens. ducks, geese. and pigeons. And needless to say, Jacque enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren who meant so much to her. She cherished the time with them at Church, attending their many activities or just hanging out. She will be remembered as a loving grandparent, mother and wife. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Jacqueline Cook, of Mount Vernon. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Charles Bechtel of Big Lake; her son, Kenneth Alan Bechtel presently of Spanish Springs, Nevada; her daughter, Corrine Denise Lam (James) of Mount Vernon her grandchildren, Hayden Christopher Lam and Emilia Jacqueline Lam or Mount Vernon; her sister, Natalie Ann Coltrin (Dale) of Melba, Idaho; her brother, William H. Cook III of Hamilton; her brother, John Willis Cook of Mount Vernon; her mother-in-law, Dorothy Robinette of Mount Vernon her sister-in-law, Sandy Fifield (Paul) of Sedro-Woolley; her brother-in-law Edward Bechtel (Jackie) of Mount Vernon; her brother-in-law James Bechtel of Marysville; her close cousin Carol Zinglemann if Houston, Texas; and numerous other extended family members and dear friends. Viewing will be held Wednesday June 18, 2008, 11:00am until 5:00pm at Hawthorne Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Thursday June 19, 2008, 11:00am at Hawthorne Funeral Home followed by a graveside service at Hawthorne Memorial Park. Following the Graveside a reception will be held at the Big Lake Church of the Nazarene, 23684 Dalacy Lane, Mount Vernon. Memorials may by made in her honor to the Big Lake Church of the Nazarene, 23684 Dalacy Lane, Mount Vernon, WA 98273