Lorraine D. Isabelle

Barre- Lorraine D. Isabelle, lovingly known as Izzy in her final years, and Mémère by her immediate family, passed away on October 13, 2018 with family at her side. She battled Alzheimer’s disease for a number of years.

Born on May 12, 1932, in Compton, Quebec, Lorraine was one of 11 children born to Alfred and Lea (Lafond) Gagnon. She attended school there until she had to help on the family farm.

On June 30, 1951, she married Arthur Isabelle in Coaticook, Quebec. They moved to Vermont in 1954 so that they could pursue a better life for their two young sons. Arthur eventually made his career in the granite industry and Lorraine took on many jobs to help support the family. Most of their time was spent in the Barre area.  Her early years were spent at the Heiress Motel owned by the Wobbys in Barre. She later worked for the Ralph Lash family. She worked many years at the Country House Restaurant. During those years she established herself as a great housekeeper, keeping house for many families in Barre, including the Aimi, Bernasconi, Valsangacomo, and Parnigoni families. She could clean with the best of them. Her family remembers growing up with the children who were members of those families. She continued her domestic skills after her husband died on August 14, 2004. She could be seen walking the streets of Barre in her white shorts and nylons no matter what the weather.

She was a member of the St. Monica, St. Sylvester, and Mother Cabrini, and St. Jean the Baptist parishes, as well as the Canadian Club. She was very proud of the fact that she and Arthur became naturalized citizens in 1993.

She accomplished a great deal for a woman without a lot of formal education. She was a tremendous cook, a great seamstress and could grow things where things would not grow. She loved her children and grandchildren. Evidence of that is how she inherited almost every pet they ever acquired. You could always count on a wholesome meal, a great smile, welcoming house and a take-home container.  She always said yes, and did so with a smile.

While it was a shame that Alzheimer’s robbed her of physical and mental abilities, it never robbed her of her warm smile and great sense of humor. All of her caregivers marveled at Izzy’s smile and warmth and for that we were blessed.

Survivors include her sons, Guy and his wife Rita, Claude and his wife Cindy, Bernie, and Tim, her grandchildren JP, Elizabeth, Ben, Claire, and their Mom Cassie, Troy and Travis Isabelle, and Isabelle, Miles and Logan Klauder. She never got to fully enjoy her new great grandchildren, Michaela and Sophia Berck, but she got to give them a big smile and enjoy them as she did her companion “babies”.

She also leaves her brothers Nil of Elmore, VT; Bertrand and Laurier of Coaticook, Quebec; sisters Fernande, Marie and Louisette of Coaticook, Quebec; and Bernadette of Plattsburgh, NY, as well as many in-laws and nieces and nephews.

Lorraine was predeceased by her husband Arthur, daughter Pierrette, brothers Adrian and Armand and her sister Muriel. A special thanks goes out to all of those who provided her care at Heaton Woods and The Woodridge Nursing Home. They were her extended family for those last years and the family could not have done it without you.  Also a special thanks to Dr. Yorra who allowed her to live out her life with dignity.

There are no calling hours. A service of remembrance will be scheduled at the convenience of the family.

Contributions to her memory can be made to the Resident Activity Fund at either Woodridge Nursing and Rehabilitation, 142 Woodridge Road, Berlin, VT 05602 or Heaton Woods Residential Care, 10 Heaton Street, Montpelier, VT 05602.