Betty Lou Blakley passed away peacefully with family by her side on December 29th, 2006 in San Jose, CA. We are comforted by the fact that she is now with her Lord, whom she joyfully loved and served while she was with us.
Betty Lou was born in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, on April 27, 1936, where she spent her childhood years. She moved to California in 1958 with her husband, Gil Kunkel. After the death of Gil in 1994, Betty and Warren Blakley married in June, 1998.
Betty loved her family and friends dearly.
She is survived by her husband, Warren Blakley, of 8 wonderful years, her four children: Linda Feldbrugge of Aptos, Cathy Kunkel of Santa Cruz, Ken Kunkel of San Francisco, and Greg Kunkel, of Santa Cruz, as well as two step-daughters; Wendy Watkins-Smith of San Jose and Linda Gilmore of Newcastle, CA. Her 11 grandchildren were a constant source of joy to her. She is also survived by her brothers: Charles, Ronnie, and Harold. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold & Catherine Thorn, and her first husband, Gilbert Kunkel. Betty will be sorely missed by all.
Betty delighted in volunteering for church work and community service. She was the Treasurer of the Morgan Hill Presbyterian church and also sang
in the choir for many years. She was a member of Manzanita Chapter of The Order of Eastern Star in Morgan Hill, Daughters of the Nile in San Mateo,
and Women In Touch II, which meets in Gilroy. She was also active in supporting the Gilroy Elks Lodge, and was in charge of the highly successful Rib Night for eight years before declining health forced her retirement. Betty was a bookkeeper until her retirement, working for several different firms, including First National Mortgage Company in San Jose and Intersil in Cupertino.
Betty had a love for many things; Family and friends, RVing with the Elks RV Club, traveling, dancing, Dixieland Jazz, working at the Gilroy Garlic Festival every year, singing with the Sweet Adelines, the MH Flower Lovers Club, and the fellowship of her church and church family.
Last summer she took a two-month tour of the US and Canada with her husband. Several
years ago she took a tour through the Holy Lands and enjoyed it immensely.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Betty”s life will be on Saturday, January 6th, 6 P.M. at the Morgan Hill Presbyterian Church, 16970 De Witt Avenue.
Donations may be made to the Elks National Foundation or the Shrine Children’s Hospital Fund.
