Obituary of Isabelle M. McGuigan

Isabelle M. Michalski McGuigan, 95, of Galway, NY, and Indialantic, FL, died May 23, 2007, at her home in Indialantic. Isabelle was born on December 7, 1911, in Amsterdam, NY, to the late Stephen and Josephine Romanowski Michalski. She graduated from St. Stanislaus and the Amsterdam School of Commerce. She was united in marriage to Leonard M. ?Pete? McGuigan M.D. on November 28, 1931. They were married 63 years, until his death in 1995. Isabelle was a strong, positive and encouraging woman who was always there to guide with a gentle hand and sound advice. She believed in those she loved so strongly that you were forced to believe in yourself. Isabelle was full of fun and her beauty and laughter filled the room. Isabelle, known as ?Babe? to her siblings, nieces and nephews and lovingly called ?Nana? by her great-grandchildren, could always be talked into a game of cards. Whether it was Gin Rummy or Go Fish, she always took great pleasure in being with her family. A great cook and party-giver, you could always count on her to teach you how to make proper German potato salad or the perfect crust for an apple pie. Isabelle was a proud, kind and supportive mother and grandmother who welcomed everyone with open arms. She worked as a legal secretary and court stenographer prior to becoming a full-time wife and mother. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary?s Church in Amsterdam, NY, and Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Indialantic, FL. She was a lifelong member of the St. Mary?s Hospital Women?s Auxiliary and worked in the Gift Shop for a number of years. She had so many fond memories of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet. She was an avid reader, bridge player and crossword puzzle guru. Knitting blankets for her great-grandchildren, throws for her families and blankets for the hospital babies were favorite pastimes. She leaves, to cherish her memory, her daughter Maureen ?Moe? Baldwin and son-in-law, Ben G. Baldwin Jr. of Arlington Heights, IL. Isabelle was the loving grandmother of Benjamin ?BG? Baldwin III and wife Rosie of Arlington Heights, IL; Peter M. Baldwin and wife Susan of Littleton, CO; Kathleen B. ?Katie? Leipprandt and husband Doug, of Arlington Heights, IL; and Michael P. Baldwin and wife Karen of Oak Park, IL; dearest great-grandmother of Margaret ?Meg? and Eleanor ?Ella? Baldwin of Littleton, CO; Scott and Lauren Leipprandt of Arlington Heights, IL; Hannah, Madeleine ?Maddie? and Lara Baldwin of Arlington Heights, IL; Emma and Owen Baldwin of Oak Park. She is also survived by nieces: Sylvia Gerry Decatur; Joyce Durgerian and nephew James J. Candance McColl and many great-nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Isabelle was preceded in death by her brothers: William ?Bill? Bernice Mickels and Wallace Evelyn Mickels and her sisters: Mary ?Mayme? A. John Korab; Genevieve Ed Gustas; Cecilia Charles Kolacki; and Gertrude Anne Jim McColl and her nephews: William ?Billy? Mickels; Charles ?Chuckie? Kolacki, and Terry Mickels. Relatives and friends are invited to attend A Mass of Christian Burial on August 8, 2007, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary?s Roman Catholic Church, 156 East Main Street, Amsterdam, NY. Interment will follow at St. Mary?s Cemetery in Ft. Johnson, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America, P.O. Box 631047, Baltimore, MD 21263-1047 or via www.lupus.org, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam.