Isabel J. Marsh

Isabel Marsh, the devoted wife of George B. Marsh and mother of Kenneth and Glenn, died peacefully on October 13, 2021, at 5:15 in the morning. She was 96 years old. Born February 10, 1925, in Quezaltenango, Guatemala, she was the youngest daughter of Rosario Maldonado and Benjamin Jaramillo. Her fondest childhood memories were of the time she spent on the family farm, La Mosqueta. While in grammar school, she met Aida, and their friendship lasted more than 80 years. Isabel came to the United States when she was 22, accompanied by her cousins Annie and Helen.  She lived in Media, Pennsylvania, and took business classes, but she had plenty of time for fun. While at the Chez Vous ballroom in Philadelphia, she met the love of her life, George. They loved each other, and loved to dance. They wanted to spend every moment together, so they married December 15, 1951.  Isabel and George kept the flame of love alive for the 62 years of their marriage. Two years after they married, they welcomed their first son, Kenneth. Young and adventurous, Isabel and George set off for Guatemala, where they lived on a small farm from 1957 to 1960. Life in Guatemala, however, presented many frustrations, so they returned to the US with a parrot and their young son in tow. They settled in Richmond, Virginia, where Glenn was born. In 1962, they moved to Orlando. Isabel loved the warm weather and her new home in Pine Hills. She especially enjoyed regular family trips to the beach. Isabel was a stay-at-home mother, devoted to her two sons and committed to sharing her Catholic faith with them.  She lived her faith not only at home, but through volunteer work, taking meals to homebound people, feeding the homeless, and counseling female inmates. While taking English classes at the Orlando First Baptist Church, in the early 1960s, she met Bertha Fox, Vilma Mackenzie and Susie Rudy, who became lifelong friends. Isabel and George took many trips to Europe, and Spain—the birthplace of her favorite singer, Julio Iglesias—was among her favorite destinations.  She never tired of dancing to his songs and singing along. Isabel was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church in Pine Hills for 60 years. In her later years she received loving care at home from Yari, Nancy, Yelitza, Silvia and Elizabeth.  A neighbor and close friend, Jeff, would come to the rescue when needed, and she often called him her “third son.” Isabel was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; brother, Benjamin; and sisters Delia and Martha. She is survived by her two sons, Kenneth and Glenn, and their spouses, Luma and Cheryl. May she rest in peace and soon be reunited with her loved ones to enjoy all God’s blessings for eternity.

The family will be receiving friends at Dobbs Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm.  The funeral mass will be held at St. Andrew Catholic Church on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at 11:00 am., followed by interment at Winter Garden Cemetery.