Passed peacefully away at home on August 26, surrounded by her loving husband Eric of 56 years and all of her 5 children - Judy, Barbie, Mike, Jill and Brenda. Isabel was a gentle, loving soul who always found good in everyone and all who met her felt her warmth and acceptance. Family was always the centre of Isabel's existence. She was born in Grand Falls, NL and grew up believing she had the best family and the happiest life. After graduating from Notre Dame Academy, Isabel embarked on her first of many adventures and headed to Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, NS where she studied Secretarial Science. Upon completion, she returned to Grand Falls and took up employment at the mill. In 1960, she married Eric and they decided to pull up stakes and move to Indiana for Eric to pursue his engineering degree. It was here that their first child, Judy, was born. From there, they moved on to Illinois where they added both Barbie and Mike to their fold. Eventually, the call of home became too strong to resist and they headed back to Newfoundland where they completed their family with Jill and Brenda. They remained in Grand Falls for 20 years where Isabel focused on raising her family, totally enjoying her job at the Roman Catholic school board and actively participating in St. Gerard's Guild. In 1987 they moved to St, John's, where she worked at the Cabot Institute of Technology (now CONA) and remained in NL until Eric's retirement in 1992. They then decided to embark upon yet another adventure and headed North this time, to Inuvik in the NWT for 3 years where again, they made many new friends and lasting memories. After re-retiring back to NL, Isabel enjoyed shallow water fitness, bridge, Catholic Women's League and more travels to visit family and vacation spots. Isabel's faith was the foundation of her being and it gave her great comfort and strength to face whatever challenges arose in her life. Her raison d'être was her family, always her family; she truly was the family's heart, compass and anchor. Left with cherished memories and a lifetime of peaceful guidance are husband Eric; children Judy of St. John's; Barbara (Ian) MacLean of Fall River, NS:, Mike (Lisa Hickey) of Greenville, South Carolina; Jill of Halifax, NS; and Brenda (Steve) Wall of Kensington, Connecticut; grandchildren Danielle (Prashanth) Ramanathan, Alyssa, Kevin, Karina and Amelia MacLean, Sam, Luke, and Emma Cumby, Zack and Amy Wall, and great-granddaughter Kaila Isabella Ramanathan. Isabel also leaves brothers Gerald and Dennis (Bev) Byrd, brothers-in-laws Eldon (Maggie) and Kevin (Kathy) Cumby, many nieces, nephews, and many caring friends. She will be especially missed by lifelong friends Colleen (Murphy) Crawley and Yvonne (Down) Lang. Isabel was predeceased by parents Daniel and Mary (Lewis) Byrd, brothers and sisters Jack, Art, Rita Eisenhauer, Marguerite Linney, Marie, and Danny Byrd, grandson Eric MacLean, mother-in-law, friend and mentor Mabel Cumby, and special sister-in-law Mona LeDrew. Cremation has taken place. Visitation to celebrate Isabel's life will be at Caul's Funeral Home, 84 LeMarchant Road from 2:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 on Sunday and from 2:00 to 5:00 on Monday. Funeral Mass will take place at Mary Queen of the World, Topsail Rd. Mt. Pearl at 11:30 am on Tuesday. Reception hosted by the Catholic Women's League to follow in Parish Hall. Inurnment of ashes at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation or St. Vincent de Paul Society at Mary Queen of the World Parish. Thanks to all the friends and family who have called, written, visited, sent messages and food and shared your love in any number of ways. Heartfelt gratitude to nurse practitioner Carmel Collins, Dr. Stewart Rorke and Dr. Roger Butler for extraordinary loving care, and to Kathryn Clark of Community Health for easing the final stages of Isabel's journey.