Our long time friend and member of the Montgomery Chinese Branch (as it was called then), Kay Jewel, passed away into the next life on November 10, 2024. We were privileged to attend her memorial service on November 23, 2024, in the Potomac Chapel, where the Montgomery Branch was organized and met for 9 years. The memorial service allowed us to meet many of our friends in the Potomac and Bethesda Wards, but it also gave us time to think on the legacy of Kay Jewel, as it relates to our branch.
Long before 2001, Hal and Kay Jewel were already friends of the branch and would invite members to their Delaware beach house. After the 2001 Chinese New Year party, on February 4, 2001, President Nolan Archibald (then stake president) released President George Chiang along with his two counselors, Frank Chow and Benjamin Tsai. President Chiang retired and moved with Sister Chiang to California. President Archibald also released Andrew Shen as the Melchizedek Priesthood Group Leader. He then called the new branch presidency: Benjamin Tsai, Andrew Shen, and Hal Jewel. Since then, Hal and Kay Jewel have served and befriended our branch members, without learning any Mandarin words. Hal served as a branch presidency counselor for over 6 years, and he was the iconic face of Santa Claus at the Branch Christmas party for many years, with Kaye along his side as Mrs. Claus.
In the Branch, Kay served as an English class principal in 2005 for one year, Emergency preparedness specialist, and Enrichment specialist in the Relief Society. She helped the Branch in so many different behind-the-scenes, such as sending out birthday cards to the branch members. Kay was always present in branch activities and helping others in need.
We will miss Kay for now, but her memory is forever in our hearts. And we are always grateful for her loving example and service.
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