Mary Isabelle Devlin, age 76, of Miles City passed away on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at the Holy Rosary Health Center in Miles City.
Isabelle was born in Powell, Wyoming on December 26, 1935, the daughter of Vincent and Trina (Maestas) Gonzales. She attended schools in Wyoming and Montana, graduating from Laurel High School in 1953. She then attended Eastern Montana College in Billings, graduating in 1958 with majors in Spanish, and Commercial studies, along with a minor in English. She began teaching in Terry, MT in the fall of 1958, and taught there until 1960. While teaching in Terry, She met Gerry Devlin. They were married in June 1959. In 1960, Gerry and Isabelle moved to the family ranch northwest of Terry. Isabelle resumed her teaching career in the fall of 1964, when she began teaching at Sacred Heart School in Miles City. While teaching at Sacred Heart, she started the school drill team, the Shamraleens. Isabelle taught at Sacred Heart until the spring of 1969, when she once again moved to the family ranch.
In 1981, her husband Gerry began serving in the Montana Legislature. Isabelle split her time between Helena and the ranch. While in Helena, she worked for the Legislative Council as a Bill proofreader. In 1992, Gerry and Isabelle purchased a handcreme company, Marcha Labs. Isabelle operated the company at the family ranch while Gerry finished his Legislative career. In 1998, they sold the handcreme company to their son, Ron, who operates it at the family ranch to this day. Gerry and Isabelle retired to Miles City in 1999, turning the ranch over to their boys.
Isabelle was a member of the Sacred Heart Church, a volunteer at RSVP, member of Cowbelles and Wife, and helped in the reorganization of the Montana Woolgrower Women.
Isabelle is survived by her husband Gerry Devlin of Miles City, MT; three sons, Ron Devlin of Terry MT; Todd Devlin of Terry, MT; Tom Devlin of Miles City, MT; three grandsons, Owen, Everett, and Henry; a brother, Chuck Gonzales and wife Sharon of Billings MT; sister in law, Betty Gonzales of Billings Mt. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers: Jim, Arthur, and Vincent and a daughter in law, Susan Devlin.
Visitation will be held on Monday, December 17, 2012 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Vigil services will be held on Monday, December 17, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery in Miles City. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Miles City Public Library or to the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday December 17, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Terry, Montana 59349
Vigil Service
7:00 p.m.
Monday December 17, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 18, 2012
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rite of Committal
Tuesday December 18, 2012
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday December 17, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Terry, Montana 59349
Vigil Service
7:00 p.m.
Monday December 17, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
1:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 18, 2012
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rite of Committal
Tuesday December 18, 2012
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Jerry, Ronnie, Todd, and Tom says
I am so sorry to read of Isabelle’s passing. She was a great lady. I remember her punching our lunch tickets in the Bolin Building when I was in the 1st or 2nd grade.. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Cindy Lund and Charlie White
Jo Ryan says
My most sincere condolences to all the Devlin Family. Isabelle was a wonderful lady that helped so many others. Jerry and Isabelle were such good friends to my parents. They were there when we were in need. I remember Isabelle taking me aside and telling me to let my Mom go. She was hurting too, but was so strong. I have really loved her since. I just didn’t get to see her often. I am thinking of you all right now. Cherish the memories.
Cindy and Dale Berg says
Todd family,
So sorry to hear about your moms passing. Your family has been through a lot this past year. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God bless.
B Dean Holmes says
Dear Jerry, Ron, Todd and Tom….and of course all the families…. We have lost a wonderful person. Our prayers are with you. Sorry I can not attend the services but my heart will be with you. Gerry, I hope we will get to see you in the next few months and share some stoires. Mayor Dean.
Diane Hubing Dresback says
So sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful lady with the greatest laugh. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Diane (Hanson) Joslyn says
Sorry to hear about Isabell’s passing, she was my teacher in high school and because of her I got a great job in an accounting firm which I retired from after 43 years. She would always stop and say “Hi” and visit a bit when she would come into the office. She will be greatly missed.
JUDY SWEENEY WOLFE says
Jerry, Ron, Todd and Tom, I was so sad to hear about Isabelle’s passing. I have such great memories of her. Not many people make it to Scobey for a visit but Jerry and Isabelle did. She will be missed by many. Love to all. Judy
Doug and Diane Ellingson says
Gerry, Ron, Todd,Tom and Family, Our condolences on your loss of Isabelle. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Doug and Diane
Terry Annalora says
Gerry, Ron, Todd, Tom and family:
Such great memories of trips out to the Devlin Ranch and of Isabelle teaching at Sacred Heart. She was a great lady that was thought of very highly by many people. Myra and I will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers. You have lost a neat lady, but she’ll still be looking over all of you for a long time to come. Take care, and God bless!
Sonja Crocker says
Gerry and Family,
So sorry…Isabelle and I went to college togather so many years ago. Fond memories of good times in ‘CowBelles’ too. Take care Gerry and let our Lord give you peace and comfort, I have been down that difficult road too. Remember all the Blessings you had together. Sonja
Kelly & Dulcy Hubbert says
Gerry and family,
So sorry to hear about Isabelle’s passing. She was a wonderful woman who will be dearly missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sharon Wilcox says
I was very sad when I read that Isabelle had passed. I always enjoyed visiting with her and Gerry at the country club. She was a very beautiful lady and eastern Montana will miss her.
Lon and Vicki Reukauf says
Gerry, Ron, Todd and Tom,
We were so very sad to hear that Isabelle had passed away. The Reukaufs and Devlins have so many good memories together out here on Cherry Creek. Walt and Phyllis so enjoyed their close friendships with Isabelle and Gerry and their card parties and fishing trips over the years! We always truly enjoyed our visits with Isabelle with her witty sense of humor and that gleam in her eye! We will sure miss her, too.
Elisa Adam says
Todd and all Devlin family members,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Elisa
Nicole Murnion Graham says
Gerry, Ron, Todd, and Tom and all the family,
I am so sorry to hear of Isabelle passing. What a wonderful lady. I will always remember and treasurer the time I spent with my father at the ranch visiting. Even as a child I loved her smile and will always remember how nice the family was to me! May god hold you all in his hands in this time of sorrow.
Christine says
Gerry and family—–sorry to hear of ‘Issy’s’ (Chris always called her that—-made that gleam in her eyes shine!!) passing. I will miss her friendly ‘pats’. She was one of the first to welcome me to the Cherry Creek Community when Chris and I were married, I will miss her.
Connie Genger says
So sorry to learn of Isabelle’s passing. She was a beautiful lady inside and out, and I was one of many who admired her greatly.
Connie
Rosemary Schantz Olson says
Gerry and Family,
Was so sorry to hear the news about dear Isabelle. She was such a fun and beautiful lady. She was a great teacher, I loved her in Shamraleens, she was so full of energy. She will be greatly missed. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sorry, I will not be able to attend the services. God’s Blessings,
“Tootsie”
Bing and Evelyn says
Gerry and Family.
Sorry to hear about Isabelle. May you find comfort in memories throughout this very difficult time.
Evelyn &Hank says
We want to extend our sincere sympathy for the loss of Isabelle .Youand your family will be in our prayers
Barbara Phair says
Todd and family: Our family extends its deepest sympathy to your family. May you find comfort in your faith. Our prayers are with you.
Maureen O'Reilly says
To all of Isabell’s family – I was so sorry to hear of Isabell’s death. She was such a neat lady. Several of my girls had her in Shamraleens and she was their favorite. She did so much for Sacred Heart when she started the drill team. She will be missed.
Bunny Pembroke Nunberg says
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of “Mrs. Devlin”. I think of her in shorthand class quite often. She was a wonderful teacher – patient and kind. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Greg and Audrey Blind and family says
So sorry to hear of your mom”s passing this is a sad year for your family , you are all always in our prays may God keep you all strong .
Nick Terhaar says
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Devlin and Gonzales families and to all those who love Isabelle. “Mrs. Devlin” was my full time 8th grade teacher and nobody ever motivated me in school like she did. She was powerful and pleasant at the same time.
In high school I learned to type from her and whenever I sit at the keyboard I think of her and thank her for teaching me one of the most valuable skills I ever learned.
I saw Isabelle last year at the Range Riders Museum and she made me smile as the years seemed to melt away. I know she has touched many lives and I thank God she touched mine. I will miss her.