Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend and neighbor, Monica (Jackie) Chambers was born Aug. 26, 1917, in North Dakota to Lawrence and Eva Jaeger. Monica passed into the arms of our Lord, Jesus Christ, at home on Feb. 9, 2006, at the age of 88 in Oak Harbor where she lived for the past 45 years.

She is survived by James, her husband of 56 years; four sons and daughters-in-law, John and his wife Elizabeth, Frank and his wife Lorelei, Michael and his wife Melanie, and Patrick and his wife Kenda; and ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Christopher and Jerome Jaeger; and five sisters, Ann Duchscher, Sister Bernadette (Elizabeth) Jaeger, Margrett Jager, Theresa Zorbas and Irene Igers. Monica had three brothers and two sisters who preceded her in passing: Lena, Joe, Ludwig, and John Jaeger and Barbara Wooley.

Monica grew up in and around Rugby, N.D., and moved to California during World War II where she supported the war effort working in the shipyards. This is when Monica picked up the nickname Jackie. While living in California she met Jim, a young Navy sailor whom she fell in love with and married on June 11, 1949. Jim and Jackie had four boys while stationed in California, Hawaii and Nevada.

They were eventually stationed at NAS Whidbey in 1960. They bought a farm on Sleeper Road where they spent many happy years raising their sons and enjoying their grandchildren. Jackie had many jobs outside the home during her lifetime including farming, welding, telephone operator, food services and household moving. Jackie was a very energetic and caring woman who enjoyed life. She spent much of her free time camping, fishing, gardening, golfing and bowling.

Always a God-fearing woman, Jackie instilled in all her sons a strong faith in Jesus Christ. She was a tireless person who always placed the needs of her family before her own. Her sense of humor and delightful spirit were enjoyed by all her friends and family. Jackie was greatly loved and will be dearly missed.

Jackie was a longtime parishioner at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church where she engaged in community service and fellowship with her friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jackie’s name to St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 185 N. Oak Harbor St., Oak Harbor, WA 98277, designated for kitchen renovations.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Augustine Catholic Church Thursday, Feb. 16, in Oak Harbor at 11 a.m., with Father Marc Powell, Celebrant. Viewing will be a the Church 9:30 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Enterprise Cemetery, Ferndale. Arrangements under the care of Jerns Funeral Chapel and On-Site Crematorium of Bellingham.