Cecilia "Ceal" T. Jennings

Cecilia "Ceal" Theresa Jennings, 85, loving mother, grandmother, and friend went to her eternal life with God on Dec. 29, 2005.

She was born Aug. 4, 1920 in Cedarburg, Wis., to George and Rose Oswald. Her mother passed away when Cecilia was nine-years old, and she was lovingly raised by her father, George, and stepmother, Eleanor.

When Cecilia was 21 she moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to begin working for the Civil Aeronautics Board. Moving away from her family home was bold and brave for a single woman in 1941. She later moved to San Francisco, Calif. where she continued her secretarial career with a top executive of PanAm. This was where she met the love of her life, Al.

On Dec. 7, 1946, Ceal married Al in Alameda, Calif. They continued to reside in California where they worked and raised their three daughters. Ceal was a "working mom" before there was such a term, yet her career never interfered with her dedication and devotion to her husband and children. Her career evolved from secretarial to probate paralegal, a career she continued for the past 40 years until her sudden death.

Ceal and her husband moved to Bigfork in 1991 where she continued to share her husband's love of flying and was his lifetime "co-pilot." Together they enjoyed many aeronautical adventures in their prized Cessna 170B. She was very active with her husband in many organizations related to flying. After Al's death she accepted his position as Wing Commander of Montana for the WW II Glider Pilot's Association.

In addition to her hobbies of reading, solving the weekly New York Times crossword puzzle, and playing computer solitaire, she was an avid Bridge player her entire adult life. Ceal never missed an opportunity to play Bridge and was active in local weekly groups.

She was a devoted member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Kalispell. Ceal's deep religious faith was the foundation and motivation to live her life in preparation for the day God would call her home to her eternal reward. Her charm, sweetness, laughter, and love of others will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her. We remain comforted that she is with God, her husband, and all her family that preceded her in death.

Ceal is survived by her three daughters and one granddaughter: Jane Ellery Jennings of Riverside, Calif.; Joani Eisentraut, her husband William "Ike", and daughter Cayce of Columbia Falls; Rose "Pinkie" Cutrone and her husband Lazzaro "Larry" of Bigfork; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews both in the U.S. and Germany. Ceal was preceded in death by her husband Al; granddaughter Jessica Eisentraut; her parents; her brother Bill Oswald; and sister Rose Oswald Creeden.

On Monday, Jan. 9, Cecilia was laid to rest with her husband Al at Montana Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison, Mont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent, in the name of Cecilia Jennings, to St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 602 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901 or Bigfork QRU, 810 Grand Ave., Bigfork, MT 59911.