September 27, 2023, was a very sad day. Our family lost one of the strongest and bravest woman, the soul and foundation of our family, our mother, grandmother (Papa), great grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, Tia Chavela and friend. The angels came to guide our mom, Isabel Gerola Escalante on her heavenly journey to be with the Lord and to be reunited with the love of her life, her soulmate, her “Cielo” Henry L. Escalante (74 years of earthly marriage). Isabel will forever be a mother of 5 to Henry J Escalante, Albert L Escalante Sr (deceased), Anna M Flores (deceased), Michael W Escalante, and Lisabella M Escalante.
Isabel was a loving grandma (Papa to some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren) to 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Isabel Gerola Escalante was one of 9 children; she is preceded in death by her mother Estella Gerola Pena, her sisters Soledade Hernandez, Sally Chavez, Alice Jimenez, Margaret Mata, Irene Muro and Teresita Pena, her brothers Gustavo Pena and Albert Gerola and survived by her sister Tillie Ahumada.
Isabel would have been 97 this November, she lived a good long and blessed life, 5 generations. She was a professional seamstress, she worked over 30 years for Green Castle in Norwalk, CA. Also, she worked a few years alongside her sister Soledad as a welder during WWII. During the late 60’s & early 70’s Isabel was a member of the Madonna Guild for St Pius X Church in Santa Fe Springs, CA. Isabel loved being creative, she would create her own patterns to make her children, grandchildren and a few of her nieces’ clothes and Halloween costumes, she loved to sew, knit and crochet (even at 96 she was still crocheting). She has left many of us with quilts, crocheted or knitted blankets, hats and Christmas stockings, that will be forever cherished. Mosted of all she loved to read books; from romance novels to suspenseful books, her go to for knowledge was the Readers Digest and Good Housekeeping, those two magazines where the golden books of knowledge. When Isabel was not crocheting or readings, you would find her at 2:00pm sharp (M-F) watching General Hospital, she loved watching Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Bernard); it was his dimples she had a fancy for. She loved Hallmark Channel, especially the Christmas movies and the classic musicals. If she wasn’t watching a movie, she enjoyed watching golf and baseball as well, she would look forward to the National Anthem being sung at the start of the game. Isabel was very patriotic, she loved seeing the American Flags displayed throughout our neighborhood; she would count how many houses displayed the flag. She was proud to vote, she would dress up in her red, white and blue on election day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Veteran’s Day; she was extremely proud of all those who served in the military; especially those who served in the family. Many might not know, she loved to sing, she would sing every morning to our dog Winnie, a good morning song, she had a very lovely singing voice. Isabel loved music (all genres) especially in her younger years, one of her favorite songs was “What’s New Pussycat” by Tom Jones. She loved sweet treats with her coffee, chicken nuggets and French fries (McDonalds), and she would never have a meal without a 7-up. Isabel enjoyed spending a day at the Casino, she had to be dragged away from the machine to eat (she was not happy to leave a paying machine). What she was known for, that most of us will lovingly remember is her “Pondering Pose” when her picture was going to be taken.
Isabel Gerola Escalante had many favorites (too many to list), but mostly, she loved her family, prayed for them daily. The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother. – Saint Therese of Lisieux.
On behalf of the Escalante family, we thank you for being a part of our mom’s life, for loving her and keeping her memory alive through your fond memories of her.
A visitation for Isabel will be held Monday, November 13, 2023 from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Delano, 707 Browning Rd., Delano, CA 93215. A rosary will occur Monday, November 13, 2023 at 4:00 PM, 707 Browning Rd., Delano, CA 93215. A mass of christian burial will occur Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1015 Clinton St., Delano, CA 93215. A committal service will occur Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at North Kern District Cemetery, 627 Austin St., Delano, CA 93215.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.delanomortuary.com for the Escalante family. Services entrusted to Funeraria Del Angel Delano, a Dignity Memorial provider.
