Isabelle G. McManus

Isabelle, or “Issy” as she was known by her family and friends, was born on July 23, 1927 in Bloomingdale, the third of five daughters of the late John L. McManus and Nina M. (Tyler) McManus. Issy was raised on the family farm, she moved to Tupper Lake with her mother and sisters following her parents separation.

After graduating from high school, she moved to Plattsburgh to attend nurses training. Isabelle was a member of the U.S. Cadet Nursing Corps in 1944 and received her R.N. from the Champlain Valley School of Nursing in 1947. During this time she met, fell in love with and married Richard H. Duquette. They settled in Plattsburgh to raise their family. While married she worked as a nurse in the private practices of Dr. Elmer Wessell and Dr. Peter Pulrang. While working at Dannemora, she took the time off to build a new home on farmland that her father had left her. With that completed in 1981, she transferred her nursing position first to the Adirondack Correctional Facility in Ray Brook and finally to Camp Gabriels, which she retired from in 1992.

Issy is warmly remembered as a nurturing and independent Adirondack woman — bred, born and raised, by her own words. A wonderful friend, neighbor, mother, sister and aunt — she found a new piece of her identity in the mid-1960s when she learned to drive motorcycles at the same time her teen-aged sons did. It became one of the great and defining joys of her life — until she finally had to give it up, in her mid 80’s!

Her mid-life reset to her roots in Bloomingdale rekindled her love of nature’s beauty and the country pace of the Adirondacks. From her return to Cold Brook Road, she was a community builder — the Neighbor that made the Neighborhood, always hosting Welcome to the Neighborhood parties for new arrivals on the road. Her home was always a welcoming place with its lovely view of Whiteface Mountain in the distance. It was a second home to the Lavigne family down the road who always brought such joy, laughter and community with them. Great neighbors and true friends all. Issy was always proud of working as a nurse for the NYS Troopers providing security during the 1980 Winter Olympics. She was also justifiably proud of helping to build her own home, the following year, with the great help and support of her friend, Carl Harrigan.

Survivors include two of her sons and their spouses: Jonathan B. Duquette (Barbara Duquette) and Doug A. Duquette (Joseph Roberts). Her two granddaughters: Nicole Duquette and Briana Duquette, and one sister and brother-in-law: Dorothy Horan (Merle Horan) of Tupper Lake.

In addition to her parents, Isabelle was predeceased by her former spouse, Richard H. Duquette, two of her sons: Glen A. Duquette and Richard L. Duquette, her sisters: Barbara Harrigan, Mary Harrigan and Marjorie Pinsonnault, her former partner David Hall, her former partner Richard Barry, as well as her oldest and dearest friend, Beryl Ducatte, and her awesome dog, KC.

Issy had so many wonderful friends and neighbors over the years but we would like to single out three of the neighbors that did so much to help her in her final year or so at her home: Michelle Casson, Amanda Lavigne and Laurie Berube. Angels all. We would also like to thank the staff of Schenectady Center, particularly the Cedar Unit, who kept her going with their attention, affection and care.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with Issy’s Family, online at simplechoicescremation.com.