Isabella Lockhart

Isabella Manewal Lockhart, 101 1/2 +, passed peacefully to the Lord’s other home on Friday, June 28, 2013, in Durango, Colo. A memorial service will held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church, with Pastors Earl Caudill and Beau Smith officiating. A celebration of life and lunch will take place at the Doubletree follow the service. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango. Izzy, as she was known to family and friends, was born November 26, 1911, in Cheyenne, Wyo., the daughter of German immigrants Louis Christopher Manewal and Auguste Ulrich. Izzy's parents were prominent Cheyenne residents who owned a delicatessen and rental properties. At one time her father was Chief of Police of Cheyenne; there is a street named Manewal in Cheyenne. Izzy had a brother, Louis Christopher Manewal, Jr., one half-brother, Johnny, and four half–sisters, Alice, Rose, Mary, and Ursula. Izzy graduated from Cheyenne High School, where she served as junior class secretary-treasurer, and acted in many plays as a member of the Drama Club. She attended "Colorado Aggies," now CSU, for two years. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and also a member of the Student Council. She was a cadet sponsor and a member of the college’s Drama Club. She then transferred to the University of Wyoming and graduated from there in 1933 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. Izzy taught school in a two-room school house (Grades 1-12) in Horse Creek, Wyo. She met her future husband, George Royal Lockhart, in Cheyenne. George, who “flew the weather” (now Doppler), used to fly over Izzy’s school to drop love notes, which her students loved to catch and read. (George's pilot license is signed by Orville Wright.) George and Izzy were married in Des Moines, Iowa, by her father-in-law, William Lockhart. They honeymooned on the family island in Minnesota's Lock-Ilse-of-Hearts. George was employed by United Airlines as a pilot, and they were sent to Denver, then Chicago, and then back to Denver, where they spent the rest of their working lives. While living in Denver, Izzy was active in AAUW, many bowling and bridge clubs, and the Delta Gamma Mother's Club. In 1969, Izzy and George moved to Durango, where they were active in the First Presbyterian Church, the Durango Club, and Hillcrest Golf Club. Izzy loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. She enjoyed playing bridge and entertaining her bridge groups. Cocktail hour with popcorn was a common evening’s entertainment at the Lockhart home. Izzy loved God’s natural world and especially enjoyed the hummingbirds and deer in her back yard. Izzy and George were married 56 years at the time of George's death in 1991. Izzy had three children, Ulys Ann (John R.) Gardella of Durango, Royalyn (Tom) Brady of San Angelo, Texas, and George Douglas (Betty) Lockhart of Eldridge, Iowa. Royalyn preceded her in death in 2011. Other survivors include eight grandchildren: Mahlon Thatcher White (Chip), Mathew Whitney White (Whit), Mark Andrew White (Andy), John R. Gardella, Jr. (Johnny), Jeffrey Lionel Gardella, Jason Scott Gardella, Thomas George Brady, and Victoria Ann Lockhart; and 14 great-grandchildren: Colby White, Trevor White, Kyle White, Heath White, Audrey White, Ashley White, Brittani Gardella, Chase Gardella, Bryce Gardella, Joshua Gardella, Cody Gardella, Hayden Gardella, Gavin Gardella, and Jacob Lockhart. Izzy was blessed with a special long-term caregiver, Earlene Bara, and her caregiving dog, Ginger. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 1 Mercado Street, Ste. 270, Durango, CO 81301, from which Izzy had the distinction of being kicked out (graduated) twice in the last few years.