Isabelle Quimby

On January 3, 1922 chiropractor, George Barber, was removed from the bedroom where his wife had been in labor for many hours, at the request of their family doctor. The doctor told George that he had to make a Rochester NH- Isabelle Quimby choice on who he wanted to save- the wife, Margaret, or the unborn baby. Moments later, with both men present, Margaret delivered Isabelle. She would be Margaret's only child and both mother and infant, would go on to live long, active and mostly happy lives punctuated by periods of great sorrow and disappointment. The Lord came down for Isabelle Barber Quimby on May 5, 2013 . From an almost perilous start, Isabelle went on to grow up during the Depression ,raising and selling rabbits as a child and holding part-time jobs during high school ( where she played on the Rochester High basketball team and was a cheerleader) and later ,after graduation, she held a full time job as a sales clerk and a weekend job making candy at the outbreak of WWII. In 1941 she married the love of her life, Edward Harold Quimby Jr. of Dover, and together they raised three children. Those children grew up with a mother devoted to their public education and also their private education in music. With weekly lessons in Rochester and Dover, and later in Manchester, Isabelle was the chauffeur to instruction in piano and dance. Between weekly trips their mother was their training sergeant, insisting on daily practice sessions. Beldie , as she was known to her friends, was active in the Republican party, a member of the Eastern Star,a bridge player at the Rochester Country Club, a census worker, an avid downhill skier, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, a member of the board of directors for Homemakers of Strafford County and volunteer for many local charities. In 1963, after only 22 years of marriage, Edward died, and like George before him, left his wife( Beldie) with no income and no means to generate one. With three children in their teens to raise, Isabelle went to work. First she obtained her LPN certification from the N.H.Vocational Technical College with an internship at Dover's Wentworth Douglas Hospital. Next , while working evenings as a nurse, she attended the University of New Hampshire, where she graduated (cum laude) with a degree in social work. She received her BS degree in 1973. Upon graduation Beldie got a much deserved break when Vic Hammel called and asked if she wanted a job at Riverside Rest Home as a social worker. She accepted the job and created the first department of social services at Riverside and retired from that institution 20 years later at the age of 70. Beldie was the recipient of the Edna McKenna Award for Public Service to the residents of Strafford County. During her Riverside years Beldie took up golf and joined a group of like-minded, golf-orientated friends called the HAKAS. Golf and skiing continued to be her leisure time passion for years. One of her best friends, Janie Fall, also a golf player, introduced Beldie to the Farmington Country Club where she became a member. Beldie also joined the Farmington Women's Club where she continued playing bridge. And she continued to travel to Barre, VT during winter breaks, where she skied with "family". Many will remember Beldie for her entries into the Rochester Fair's vegetable and flower arrangement competitions. Following in her mother's footsteps, Beldie always had a large flower and vegetable garden, and her oldest child, Fred, would hawk fresh veggies around the neighborhood during the summer. But after retirement , she really took gardening seriously and enjoyed winning blue ribbon after blue ribbon for her flower arrangements. When her competitive spirit began to wane, she served as the liaison between the Rochester Fair Board of Directors and the regional nursing homes. Some will remember Beldie for her role in the Episcopal and later the Anglican Churches. She was active in fund raising for the Church of the Redeemer in Rochester where she also was on the alter and flower guild. She was also the organist at the Trinity Anglican Church in its early years. Whether it was singing in the choir, playing the organ or participating in the rummage sales, Beldie was a devoted member of the church. During the decades following her husband's death, she traveled with friends to South America and Mexico ( with the MacQuarrie's), to Europe, North Africa, and Western US ( with her children), and throughout the US ,Canada, New Zealand and Australia (with her sister-in-law, Nellie Quimby). Isabelle was predeceased by her loving husband Edward Harold Quimby Jr. and her half brother Daniel Barber and half sister Helen Cutter. She is survived by her children: son, Fred Quimby (Cynthia) of New Durham; daughter, Ann Kimball ( Edward) of Yardley, PA; and daughter, Nancy Haseltine (George) of Rochester. She is also survived by five grandchildren, five great grandchildren and a number of cousins, nephews and nieces including Cynthia Dore, with whom Beldie was especially close. Beldie was also predeceased by a bevy of dogs including: Scottish terriers, golden retrievers, a mongrel, a Siberian husky and a shih tzu; all of whom she loved dearly. The family extends their special thanks to the entire staff of Riverside Rest Home and especially Beldie's niece by marriage, Nancy Cutter, for the respect, love and excellent care they provided Isabelle over the past three years. Special thanks are also extended to the staff of Beacon Hospice-Hyder Family Hospice of Strafford County. Calling hours will be between 5-8PM Thursday May 9, 2013 at Edgerly Funeral Home at 86 South Main Street, Rochester , NH. A Funeral service will be held the following day at 11am at Edgerly Funeral Home. Private burial will be in the Rochester Cemetery, Franklin Street, Rochester NH. To sign the online guestbook please go to www.edgerlyfh.com