Isabelle 'Isy' L. Mclain

Isabelle L. McLain, 88, affectionately known as Isy, passed away on Oct. 3, 2017 at her home in WI. Isabelle was born on December 2, 1928 to a large family in the small rural town of Limestoneville, PA. She lost her mother at age three and was later cared for and loved by her stepmother, Ada Dye. Raised during the depression, she moved to an aunts home to help her with housework and attend high school. There Isabelle owned a horse, and played French horn in the school band. She earned a music scholarship to Mansfield State Teachers College, where she met her husband, Thomas McLain to whom she was married for 59 years. After 19 years of teaching, Mrs. McLain retired from the Newark Valley Central School District where she was a beloved first grade teacher. Throughout her life, her kindness, generosity and love for her fellow man was quietly shown through volunteer work with the elderly and needy. She tutored children at Hispanic Social Services in Fort Myers, Florida, and volunteered in the local food pantry. Isabelle was particularly interested in promoting educational opportunities for young women, and worked to do so through her participation in PEO Sisterhood. As she and Tom were raising their children, they were also active in Scouting. Her hobbies included quilting, machine embroidering, and genealogy. Isy was a devoted Catholic. Isabelle is survived by her loving children: Carol McLain, Joseph (Karen) McLain; daughter-in-law, Valerie McLain; grandchildren: Lindsey Cote, Brian McLain, Elise Renwick, Trude Renwick; great grandchildren: MacKenzie, Trevor, Ashley and Jameson, sister Joanne Zechman, and many nieces, and nephews. Isy was predeceased by her husband Thomas A. McLain, son Thomas A. McLain II, her parents Earl Orton Dye and Pearl Viola Bogart, and siblings: Earl, Foster, Lawrence, Viola, Alverna, Ruth, Betty, and Violet. Isabelle will be remembered as a very creative, hard-working and strong woman. She was devoted to her family, went out of her way to help others, was optimistic, and always had a beautiful smile, a caring word and limitless compassion for everyone she met. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church, Newark Valley on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8. 2017 AT 10 o'clock. Burial will follow in the family plot at Hope Cemetery, Newark Valley. MacPherson Funeral Home Newark Valley is assisting with arrangements. Memories and condolences may be written in Mrs. McLain's guestbook at macphersonfh.com. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter B Newark Valley C/O Glenda M. Clark, Treasurer12276 State Rt. 38, Berkshire, NY 13736 in loving memory of Isabelle L. McLain. Mass of Christian Burial St. John the Evangelist Church Wednesday, November 08, 2017 10:00 AM Rock St. Newark Valley, NY 13811 Directions