Isabelle J Bautista

On Sunday July 28th, Isabelle J. Bautista left this world to begin a new journey. Isabelle was born in Miami, Az. on November 29, 1931 to Rafael and Ysabelle Jorquez, she was the youngest of six children. Isabelle was raised in Miami. She attended Miami High School, played clarinet in the marching band, and graduated in 1949. She married in July of 1949, had six children, and became widowed while expecting her seventh at the age of 26. She worked at Franco’s Furniture Store in Miami and at Motorola Mesa prior to moving to Tempe where she worked while raising her children and giving birth to her eighth child. Later, she worked as a bookkeeper for Jeffcoat Construction, volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital mailroom, also did accounting for U-haul and Courtesy Chevrolet before settling into being an accountant for, and eventually retiring from the Motor Vehicle Division.

Isabelle had a love for many things. She enjoyed gardening, traveling (including vacationing in Europe and Hawaii). She loved singing with the church choir. She also had a love for music, especially country music, Patsy Cline, and developed a crush on Engelbert Humperdink. Isabelle had a talent for playing the piano. She eventually learned to play her favorite song which is “Claire De Lune.” She spent some quiet time working on jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, sudoku puzzles, but had a rowdier side that loved to dance.

In her early 80’s, Isabelle was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Dementia and eventually wound up in the care of her son Marco and daughter-in-law Susie for the remaining 8 years of her life. With the loss of our mother, also comes the knowledge that she is now with God, and is no longer suffering. She is preceded in death by her parents, her two sisters: Rosa and Patricia, (she shared a special bond with these two sisters and her surviving sister, Rita), two brothers: Ralph and Frankie, her daughter: Gloria, two sons: Gerard “Jerry” and John “Hedda”, two granddaughters: Rachelle “Shell” and Jocelyn “Josie”, and many other relatives and friends who are surely rejoicing in being reunited with her. She leaves behind three daughters: Bonnie, Judy and Monica, two sons: Ralph and Marco, and thirteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and another great-great grandchild on the way. She has also left behind many nieces, nephews, friends and acquaintances.

She was a very strong, determined, independent woman that endured many hardships in her life, but persevered through her faith in God and her love for her family. She was a loving and thoughtful mother who enjoyed being around family and friends. She will forever be Loved and Missed by all.