Obituary: Bailey, Janet Susanne
Age 90
Jan was born in Newport, WA.
During Jan’s childhood her father built Elkins Resort on beautiful Priest Lake where Jan spent her summers and gained a love of “The Lake”.
Jan attended Whitman College where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority.
In 1948 she married RD Smith.
A pioneer of her day, they moved to the pristine shores of Northern Priest Lake amongst spectacular views, primitive wild life, barely a navigable road and no electricity.
In the summer of 1960 she opened the Drift Inn Restaurant serving boaters and fishermen as they headed to the Upper Priest.
She ran the Drift Inn until RD’s sudden death in 1968.
Later she married Orville Bailey and together they developed a portion of her Priest Lake property into what is now known as Sandpiper Shores.
In the early 70s they began to spend their winters in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
In the late 90s they sold their “casa” on the Caribbean and began wintering in Palm Desert.
Widowed once more, Palm Desert proved to be the perfect retirement place for Jan where she enjoyed a close-knit group of friends.
Jan lived life to the fullest.
Her warm, welcoming, and loving personality made her a friend to all.
She was deeply loved by her family and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by: her sister Joan McWilliams (Dave Mohlenbrok); sister-in-law Sandy Elkins; Nieces Marcia Elkins Moroz (Pete), Sue Maguire (Mike); Nephews Brian Elkins (Melissa), Dave McWilliams (Mari), Mike, and Tim McWilliams.
A memorial celebration of Jan’s life is being planned for next summer at Priest Lake Community Church; a memorial fund has been established in Jan’s name at Priest Lake Community Church, 28047 Highway 57, Priest Lake, ID 82856