Mary Isabelle Howell

In loving memory of Mom, Mary Isabelle Howell passed away July 26, 2011. Our hearts are heavy with her passing, and we cherish the precious time we had with her. Mary is preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Bob. She is survived by her sister Joyce Forte of Chicago, Illinois; sister Julia Heflin of Edinburgh, Indiana; son David of Chico, California; and son Evan, daughter-in-law Laurie, and granddaughter Abigail of Milford, Ohio. Mary was born in Hendricks Township-Shelby County, Indiana September 4, 1925. She was a graduate of Mount Auburn High School in 1943, and the Methodist School of Nursing in Indianapolis in 1945. From 1945-63 Mary worked as an Operating Room Nurse at hospitals in Indianapolis and Seymour, Indiana; at the Oschner Clinic in New Orleans, Louisiana; and at Southern Pacific Hospital in San Francisco, California. From 1963 to 1980 Mary raised her two sons, and took care of the family's homes in Castro Valley and Orland, California. She resumed her health care career in 1980 as Health Care Clerk at Orland High School where she worked until 1993. In addition to her work in health care, Mary enjoyed working on the family farm in Orland, and her volunteer work with "Friends of the Orland Library". In 2000 Mary and Bob moved to Springfield Manor in Chico, California where they enjoyed neighborhood activities, Prime Timers, spending time with friends and family, and traveling. A memorial service is planned for Thursday, October 13th, 7PM at the Brusie Funeral Home, Chico, California. Burial will follow on Friday, October 14 at Cypress Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Petaluma, California.