Isabel Daisy DeFore Greenwell, 85, passed away on Thanksgiving morning, November 27, 2008 at her home in Bow, Washington surrounded by her family.
She was born to James and Stella Pennington DeFore on October 18, 1923 in Cowley County, Kansas on a rural farm.
This inspired her free spirit and love of the outdoors that she shared with her husband Richard. They married on June 13, 1943 and built a wonderful life together for 41 years until he passed away in 1984.
She raised two sons while she worked for a short time as a grade school teacher and then for 30 years at Benny and Smith producing Crayola Crayons until her retirement.
Her love of children led her to run the nursery for all of the churches she attended through the years and was then a nanny to her niece’s children in California for a year. Family called and she then moved to Tucson, Arizona to care for her youngest son Charles’ two children for 10 years until they were grown. She then cared for her eldest sister in Kansas for a year until she moved to Bow, Washington to spend her twilight years on the farm with her eldest son Jerry and his family. She had a great enthusiasm for working outdoors, helping feed the animals and picking the produce from the garden. Her love of adventure was evident when she learned to ski in 1984.
Isabel was preceded in death by her husband, Richard and youngest son, Charles and eight siblings, Nedra, Zarta, Vicky, Bill, Grace, Hugh, Robinett, and Jack.
Her life will continue to be celebrated by her son, Jerry his wife, Donna of Bow. Her grandchildren, Dawn of Portland, OR, Pamela of Sedro-Woolley, WA, Rodney and wife, Jennifer of Bow, WA and Cory and Chad of Tucson, Arizona. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren who were lucky to share her vibrant love of life until their late teens. She will be sorely missed! Isabel’s family suggests that memorials be made to the Bow Church of Christ.
Memorial Services will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 2:00 PM at the Church of Christ in Bow.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.