Bernette W. “Denny” Hamel

Born June 19, 1924 in the small town of Bennington, Neb. She graduated from high school in 1942 where she was the editor of both the weekly newspaper and the year’s annual. She went to Lincoln, Neb., to the University of Nebraska as a “Cornhusker” and joined the PI Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta sorority in 1944 where she was given the nickname Denny.

Her extra-curricular activities fulfilled her love of dancing when she was accepted as a member of Orchesis — a modern interpretive dance club that produced several stage productions each year. She only took one art class and discovered that she had maybe missed her calling, but she added it to her many, largely self-taught, interests in all the home and fine arts. Her love of dancing and painting continued well into her later years.

In 1946 she graduated with a bachelor of science degree in secondary education and in the fall went to Superior, Neb., as their high school business teacher. During the first week of her first school year in Superior, on a blind date arranged by another teacher, she met her future husband, Ralph E. Hamel, and they were married on June 8, 1947.

Denny and Ralph adopted two children while living in Denver, Colo. She was happy to be a stay-at-home mother and didn’t try to return to work until their children were in junior high school. Meanwhile, she busied herself with church activities, including teaching Sunday school, summer Bible schools and summer church camps in the San Bernardino Mountains of California. She was often in charge of the children’s art projects.

Denny did some substitute teaching as she took college classes until she fulfilled her fifth year requirement for full-time teachers. And, she gained new skills for the change to the computer age. She taught for several years in the junior high and high schools of Orange County in Southern California. Her last teaching job before retiring was at Santa Ana College teaching adult education.

After retirement Denny and Ralph traveled the country full time in an RV. Over four years they saw much of the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Denny moved to Whidbey Island in 1999. She is proceeded in death by husband Ralph and both of her sisters. She is survived by her son Kent (Donna) Hamel of San Diego, daughter Karen (Jim) Carbone of Langley, and former son-in-law Terry (Tina) Thomas; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. A small family service will be held.