Betty Louise Carkeek was born December 1, 1929, in Bath, Maine. She lived at home with her parents, Bertha and Louis Hagan, until she was 13 when they divorced. She then moved in with a foster family. Betty married Thomas Carkeek at the age of 17, when he was stationed with the Navy in Bath, and a yr. later they had a son, Stephen. They moved to Butte, Mt. in 1948. A second son, Alan, was born in 1950. The family moved to Helena in 1964. Betty and Tom were divorced in 1976.
Betty was bright, determined, and practical. To earn money in high school, she worked at a soda fountain in a Bath drug store. She prepared for marriage by taking home ec classes, and became an excellent cook who knew how to put a balanced meal on the table. Her children (and later her grandchildren) reaped the benefits of Betty’s cooking, sewing, and knitting skills. As she lived her life in Butte, Betty was a strong, athletic young woman, well suited for rearing 2 rambunctious boys. Everyone felt at home in her house, and she often had drop-in guests for dinner, including Tom’s co-workers from the mine. She laughed easily. She was strong-spirited and outspoken. No one ever had to wonder what was on Betty’s mind. Her family was her first priority.
Betty was a stay-at-home mom until she moved to Helena. She then worked at Saveway Drug, Western Drug, Louie’s Market, and eventually at St. Peter’s Hospital, where she worked the switchboard for many years. She volunteered at St. Peter’s gift shop after her retirement, as well as volunteering at the Bargain Basement at her church.
Betty liked to swim, and was a regular at the Broadwater Health Club well into her later years. She made friends easily. She worked with the Quilters’ Guild, and she met weekly with her “lunch bunch.”
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Eddie Hagan, and her sister-in-law, Alice Hagan.
She is survived by her sons Stephen (Claudene) Carkeek and Alan Carkeek of Helena; grandchildren Michelle Carkeek of Spokane, WA., Chantal (Rick) Hammers of Spokane, Melissa (Bob) Martin of Kennewick, WA, Cristina Carkeek, and Carlos Carkeek of Helena, Trevor (Lindsey) Carkeek of Helena, Seth (Amanda) Carkeek of Helena, and Lance Corporal Wayne Carkeek, U.S. Marine Corps, stationed in Maryland; great-grandchildren Jacqueline (Justin) Walker of Spokane.; Riley, Bailee, and Gunner Martin of Kennewick; and Tristen and Tucker Carkeek of Helena; great-great grandson Jacqobi Walker of Spokane; nieces Celia (Don) Decowski of N.H., Lynda (Jeff) Elliott of Maine, and nephew Danny Hagan of Maine, along with great nieces and nephews. Betty is also survived by long-time friend Audrey Tallon, and the Guccione and Reed families.
The family will receive friends from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday, November 4, 2012 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A memorial service celebrating Betty’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral, 511 N. Park Ave, and time to be announced. Interment will take place in the columbarium niche immediately following the memorial service with a reception to follow in the social hall at the church. Memorials in Betty’s name are suggested to St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral, 511 N. Park Ave, Helena, MT 50601 or the Heart to Heart Foundation.
Service Schedule
Family and Friends Service
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday November 4, 2012
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday November 6, 2012
St Peter's Episcopal Cathedral
511 N. Park Ave
Helena, MT 50601
Service Schedule
Family and Friends Service
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday November 4, 2012
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday November 6, 2012
St Peter's Episcopal Cathedral
511 N. Park Ave
Helena, MT 50601
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Loretta Hodous says
I worked with Betty at St. Peters hospital and always thought she was a first class lady. So sorry for your loss.