Isabel D. Mead's Obituary
Isabel D. (Meyers) Mead was born in Sabetha, KS on Oct.30, 1920. Isabel lived in rural farmland Kansas and Nebraska as a young child. She experienced the great Midwest “Dust Bowl” of the 1930’s before moving to escape the terrible destruction of the land in that decade. Isabel’s father and mother moved to the great Northwest, Washington State, in search of work, as did many people in those years. Hard times, lack of work and the needs of the family required Isabel to drop out of school after her 8th grade of public education. Taking such major life changes in stride was made more difficult for Isabel as her mother, Minnie, died when Isabel was 16 years of age. Isabel’s father Cloyd lived into his 90’s and enjoyed a lifetime of living close to Isabel.
When Isabel’s family was living in Scappoose, Oregon she met the man who was to become her husband, William W. (“Wally”) Mead during the Portland, Oregon Rose Festival. Wally was a sailor assigned to the USS Chicago, docked at the Willamette River seawall during “Fleet Week”. Wally and Isabel married on Flag Day 1941 after Wally was discharged from the Navy. They bought five acres of land in Warren, Oregon and settled there soon after their wedding. Wally and Isabel built their home and lived on that same piece of property for 62 years, until Wally preceded Isabel in death in 2003.
Isabel was entirely occupied with homemaking, rearing three children and even worked at several part-time temporary jobs around the community during her younger years. Shortly after Isabel and Wally were married, she worked at the Kaizer Ship Yards in Vancouver, Washington building Liberty Ships and Victory Ships for the war effort for nearly four years. She worked long, hard hours and days making every dollar stretch.
Isabel and Wally raised all kinds of farm animals for their own food, raised a large vegetable garden every year, sold milk and cream from their only cow, berries, and eggs to the neighbors for income and canned every kind of fruit and vegetable. Isabel actually made bed sheets from cow feed sacks.Isabel loved music and took piano lessons and taught herself to play the organ as an adult. Her paintings earned awards at local fairs and her woodcarvings brought joy to many.
She was a long time member of the St. Helens First United Methodist Church and recently a member of the Sunset Park Community Church, where she and Wally faithfully worshipped and served. Isabel was an active member of both Scappoose and St. Helens Senior Centers. She was also a 40 plus year active member of the Warren Grange, participating weekly in their programs and services. Wally and Isabel enjoyed traveling in the Northwest, especially to British Columbia, Canada.
Isabel was recently a greatly loved and enjoyed resident of Spring Meadows Assisted Living Center in St. Helens, where she continued her art work, and was an active and lively participant in the daily life and activities of the center.
Isabel is survived by sons Bob (Nancy) Mead of Roseville, CA and CH Ray Mead, US Army Retired (Michele) of Tacoma, WA; daughter Pam (Allen) Blakley of Kalama, WA; grandson Cody Blakley; granddaughter Erin (Zakk) Hoyt of Kansas City, MO and three great-grandchildren; brothers Jim (Cathy) Meyers and Dennis (Jackie) Meyers of Scappoose and many relatives in her extended family.
Isabel died on Monday, Nov. 4, 2013. She was remembered and her life celebrated at a funeral service that was held on Mon., Nov. 11 at 10 AM at Sunset Park Community Church. A reception followed her service at the church. No donations are solicited.
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