Betty Jane “BJ” Campbell, 78, passed away Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

BJ was born March 20, 1944, in Seattle, Wash., to Palmer and Alice Ross. She grew up in Caldwell, Idaho, and lived most of her childhood in both Nampa and Caldwell. BJ attended Eastern Washington University, where she earned her Master's of Science Communications and Technical Writing in 1993.

On June 12, 1966, BJ married the love of her life, Robert “Cougar Bob” Campbell, in Nampa, Idaho. They made their home in Post Falls, Idaho, where she worked for six years as an instructor for high school English, speech and drama, and college creative writing. She also worked as a Clinical Researcher, Customer Service Administrator, Procedures Administrator and Regulatory Affairs Assistant for Hollister-Stier Laboratories (Bayer) for 27 years. BJ coached Bethel Players drama group in Coeur d’Alene for 15 years and ran her own small business on technical writing called Write On. Known by her family as the great author/storyteller, BJ captured the life and stories of “Cougar Bob,” in her famous book "Close Calls: The True Tales of Cougar Bob" and would read the stories at every family reunion or gathering. Altogether, she authored three books during her life and was a member of the writer’s guild and every library in the area.

She enjoyed writing and reading her stories, playing the piano at care homes and gospel missions, spending time at libraries and travelling, even as far as Papua New Guinea. BJ served for 10 years on the Library Board. Her greatest love, however, was serving the Lord and serving others. She was a member of His Place Church in Post Falls.

Betty is survived by one sister, Linda Brock, of Twin Falls, Idaho, brother Bruce (Kathy) Ross of Kennewick, Wash.; stepdaughters Cynthia Campbell of Caldwell, Idaho, Teresa Campbell of Marina, Calif., Sharon Migel of Boise, Idaho, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Palmer and Alice Ross, husband Robert “Cougar Bob” Campbell and sister Mary Perry.

Private family services will be held in the spring, when BJ will be laid to rest with husband Robert Campbell at the Church in the Wildwood Cemetery in Sagle, Idaho.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling arrangements. Please visit BJ’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.