Jacque Batt

Jacque Batt (née Fallis, January 31, 1926 - September 7, 2014) was an American First Lady. She was the First Lady of Idaho while her husband Phil Batt was Governor of Idaho from January 2, 1995 to January 4, 1999. She was instrumental in founding the Pink Tea in 1998, an organization that raised money for free mammograms for women in need.[1][2]

Jacque Batt
First Lady of Idaho
Assumed role
January 2, 1995
GovernorPhil Batt
Preceded byCarol May Andrus
Succeeded byPatricia Kempthorne
Personal details
Born
Jacque Elaine Fallis

(1926-01-31)January 31, 1926
Spokane, Washington
DiedSeptember 7, 2014(2014-09-07) (aged 88)
Boise, Idaho
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Phil Batt
Children3
ResidenceBoise, Idaho
Alma materUniversity of Idaho

Biography

Jacque Elaine Fallis was born to Gordon and Mary Fallis on January 31, 1926.[3] She had two brothers, Bill and Bob Fallis. She met Phil Batt at the University of Idaho, and eloped with him on January 9, 1948 in Potlatch, Idaho.[4][5]

She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority at the University of Idaho.[6] She was active in Republican party organizations, serving as president of the Canyon County Republican Women's Club in 1971,[7] and was also active in Legisladies, an organization for the wives of Idaho legislators, serving as its president in 1977.[8] She worked with her successor Patricia Kempthorne to found the Pink Tea in 1998, an organization that raised money for free mammograms for women in need.[1][2] She also worked as a volunteer phoning mothers to remind them about their children's immunizations.[9] She was known for her humble attitude to the role of First Lady, being reported to take the household washing to a laundromat.[10]

Batt was active in the Ninety-Nines, a women's airplane pilot organization,[11] which she joined in 1963. Batt served as the secretary of the Idaho chapter in 1966, and later as Idaho Chapter Chairman.[12] She competed in the Idaho Air Race with the Ninety-Nines, and flew into Mexico and Canada.[13] She also donated to the organization.[14]

She had three children with Phil: William, Rebecca, and Leslie Ann.[3][5]

Batt died September 7, 2014 and was survived by her husband, whom she had been married to for 66 years.[15] When Batt died, Idaho Governor Butch Otter released the following statement: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jacque Batt. We will never forget the enduring strength of her 66-year marriage to Governor Phil Batt and her grace as Idaho’s First Lady. She was a deeply caring and compassionate woman who left us all better for having known her. Our thoughts and prayers are with Governor Batt, his family and all those who knew and loved Jacque."[16]

References
  1. Metsker, Meredith (October 16, 2013). "A community in pink". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  2. "Projects of Service" (PDF). Soroptimist International of Boise, Idaho. pp. 30–31. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  3. "Jacque Elaine Fallis Batt, 1926 - 2014". Lewiston Tribune. September 10, 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  4. "Juniors". Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook. 1947. p. 96.
  5. "Batts celebrate silver anniversary". Idaho Free Press. 29 January 1973. p. 11. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  6. "Delta Delta Delta". Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook. 1947. p. 300.
  7. "McClure Undecided About Senate Race". Idaho Free Press. 1 October 1971. p. 1. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  8. "Unit Elects". The Times-News. Twin Falls, Idaho. 26 January 1977. p. 27. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  9. "Septuplets to receive Idaho help". The Times-News. Twin Falls, Idaho. 10 February 1998. p. 17. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  10. "Editorial: Governor who wields ax should share the pain". The Times-News. Twin Falls, Idaho. 4 December 2008. p. 6. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  11. Black, Roberta (3 July 1965). "The Ladies Air Derby From Boise To Kellogg". Idaho Free Press Weekender Magazine. pp. 12–13. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  12. Batt, Jacque (September 1965). "Ninety-Nine News" (PDF): 25. Retrieved 29 December 2018. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. Jessen, Gene Nora (November–December 2014). "Jacque Batt" (PDF). 99 News. 40 (6): 30. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  14. "The International Women Pilot's Magazine" (PDF). September–October 1996. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  15. "Former Idaho First Lady Dies". Magic Valley. September 8, 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  16. "GOVERNOR OTTER AND FIRST LADY MOURN PASSING OF JACQUE BATT, WIFE OF FORMER GOVERNOR PHIL BATT" (September 8, 2014). State of Idaho. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
Preceded by
Carol May Andrus		 First Lady of Idaho
January 2, 1995-Jan. 4, 1999		 Succeeded by
Patricia Kempthorne
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