Dorothy Isabel

Dorothy Hart Isabel passed away on March 8, 2025 at Heatherwood Retirement Community in Burke, Virginia after a long life full of love, laughter, education, friendship and an unwavering devotion to family that will never be forgotten.

Dorothy was born on July 9, 1929 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania to John and Jane Curry Hart, all of Irish descent, a complete background in coal mining, and a strong attribute to maximize personal efforts. Dorothy was the youngest of 6 children - James, John ‘Jack’, Francis, Elaine, Lenore and Dorothy. Mr. Hart, as a mine foreman, went down into the shaft every night, therefore the family remained soft spoken to allow Daddy to sleep. In the days when “Coal was King”, mine foremen were relocated frequently to various areas in Fayette County as needed. The boys were stellar football players at German High School. Jimmy, seriously wounded, and Jack, were both combat infantrymen in World War II and sadly, Elaine passed away in 1943 at the age of 19.

Dorothy graduated from Uniontown High School in 1947 and continued her education, graduating as an R.N. from the Mercy School of Nursing in Pittsburgh, PA. Following graduation, Dorothy was employed as a pediatric nurse at the Uniontown, PA hospital.

Dorothy married Harry C. Isabel at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Uniontown, PA on September 7, 1951. Dorothy, a stellar role model for her family, did everything she could to provide love and support-a true matriarch in every sense of the word. Outside of her family, Dorothy was active in her church, as president of Christian Mothers and as a Eucharistic Minister, as she guided the children to follow Christian principles. Her nurse’s training was  instrumental in caring for the medical needs of the entire family.

Her family relocations, due to corporate advancement by Harry, were handled with dispatch by Dorothy, who was always instrumental in choosing the location and home of her desire. Her pattern of involvement continued, in church and community and working as a nurse in a local hospital, especially during times with 3 children in college.

In later years, Dorothy and Harry enjoyed stateside and international travel, visiting many countries, including Dorothy’s family’s native Ireland and Harry’s family’s native Italy. They enjoyed the donkey ride in Santorini, visiting Beijing, the Casino and Grand Prix in Monaco, riding The Orient Express, travel in Cairo to see the pyramids, an animal safari in Africa and visiting the Holy Land.

Left to cherish her memory are daughters, Pamela Isabel (Larry Hughes) of Woodstock, MD, Claudette (David) Schaus of Hilton Head, SC, and twins Carolyn Dannahey of Springfield, VA and Marilyn (Stephen) Butters of Stafford, VA, older sister Lenore, of Lexington, S.C., 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

At a later date, a mass of Christian Burial will be held at Nativity Catholic Church, Burke, VA and Dorothy will be inurned with Harry at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to a charity of your choice.

Dorothy’s obituary was lovingly written by Harry.