Clementine Dingley Jester, 87, died peacefully after a short illness on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at Redmond Care Center, Redmond, Washington. “Clem” was born November 9, 1926 in Casco, Maine. She was a long-time Bellevue – East Side resident, moving here with her husband, Jay and their two daughters in June 1960.
Clem was the daughter of the late Raymond Earl and Lillian Pearl (Spaulding) Dingley of Casco, Maine. She was one of eleven children growing up at the Dingley Homestead, the family farm in Casco. Having lived through the Great Depression and the WWII years, she knew the value of a dollar and the importance of being resourceful. After finishing high school, she found work and moved to Lewiston, Maine. At the age of 18 on May 5, 1945, she met a young, handsome sailor, Jay W. Jester of Bellevue Washington, and on V-E Day, May 8, 1945, they had their first date. By late June, they were married in Edenton, North Carolina, and Clem became a young Navy wife, traveling down a whole new and adventurous path. Their first trip was a cross-country road trip for Clem to meet Jay’s family in Bellevue.
While a military wife, she established homes for her young family in Westerly, Rhode Island; Corpus Christi, Texas; Okinawa; Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Washington; and Imperial Beach, California. The most memorable trip for her was in 1953, crossing the Pacific with her two small daughters to join Jay at Naha Air Base in Okinawa. When Jay completed his 20 years of military service, they returned home to Bellevue, Washington.
Clem was an active volunteer in her communities. After settling in Bellevue, she began working with the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and continued her membership for over five decades of service. Throughout the years, Clem received many awards and recognition for her service to the local, district, state and national organization, promoting Veterans Benefits, Americanism, Youth Activities, Cancer Aid and Research, Hospital and Community Activities, and also providing her leadership and wisdom to the officers and membership. The Washington State Ladies Auxiliary awarded her special honors as the “President of the Year” during the time she served as the local auxiliary President and later as the district auxiliary President.
In August 1974, Clem was recognized by the National Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW as one of the top National Leaders, receiving awards for excellence in leadership. The National Ladies Auxiliary presented Clem with the “Outstanding State President” as Washington State President (1973-1974) and attained Top Performance Awards in five National Programs (Community Activities, Hospital, Safety, Veterans, and Youth Activities). In June 2009, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Washington presented Clem with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication, exceptional meritorious service to her community, the VFW and Veterans and their families.
In addition to the VFW organization, she served as Chairman of the Selective Service Local Draft Board, Treasurer of the Overlake Park Presbyterian Church Women’s Association, and with the Big Sisters of King County, Washington. She always had many projects in the works -- using her many talents of sewing and cooking as well as organizing fund raising events, hospital donations and visitations. She strongly supported those activities which could make a difference in someone's life. Some of her greatest joys were leading the VFW Ladies Auxiliary’s ceremonial drill team as well as regularly visiting the Veterans Hospitals, Gold Star Mothers, and USO activities.
Clem always took great pleasure making many trips to cities and states across our beautiful country, including Alaska and Hawaii. She also loved her experiences and journeys traveling to the Mexican Riviera, the Caribbean, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. She always found time to cheer for her beloved New York Yankees and to watch her favorite old movie, Gone With the Wind, once a year.
Clem is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law: Jayne and her husband, Paul Tuohig, of Alexandria, VA; and Ann and her husband, Gary Buechler, of Kirkland, WA. Also surviving are three grandchildren and their families: Ryan (Heather Parsons) Reed of Arlington, VA; Jayson (Amanda Good) Buechler of Sammamish, WA, and Keri-Ann Buechler of Kirkland, WA; and two great-granddaughters, Laine Elizabeth Buechler and Margaret Jayne Reed. Also surviving are two sisters and two brothers, and many nieces and nephews.
Clem was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 39 years, Jay W. Jester, and by her second husband of 20 years, Raymond E. Fogg of Bridgton, Maine. She was also predeceased by three sisters and one brother, all of Maine.
Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, Bellevue, Washington.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
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