Isabelle Lanphere Dumas' Obituary
Isabelle Lanphere Dumas, 83, of Edgewater Park, NJ, passed into eternal life on November 10, 2019. Isabelle was born August 27, 1936, to Gerald and Elizabeth (Kerstine) Lanphere in Long Eddy, NY.
During her younger years she, and her first husband, owned and operated Milgene’s Motel on Route 20, Madison, NY. Isabelle managed the motel while raising their four children, harvested and canned fruit and vegetables; made delicious baked goods for local bake sales; actively served as a scout leader; and was a skilled seamstress, creating and sewing clothing (including costumes), as well clothing for her daughters’ dolls.
During her second marriage to the love of her life, Leon Dumas, they grew (with the engineering help of her father) and ran the largest custom t-shirt imprinting shop on the east coast, Dooms Unlimited. After years of hard work, they sold their business and traveled the United States and Canada in their custom motorhome. They settled in Englewood, FL to manage Oak Grove Mobile Home Park. In the late 1980’s they moved back north to be closer to family where they cared for, and later said goodbye to, their mothers while running a fishing lodge in Altmar, NY. After two awful winters, and the passing of her husband, Isabelle decided it was time to return to Florida to be closer to her eldest son, Walter “Butch”, her sister, Rosemary (and dear friend Jean), and family.
By 2002, Isabelle moved back north to Madison, NY, to be closer to her grandchildren and assist her son Guy in keeping the family property. In 2008, she moved to Edgewater Park, NJ, to be with her daughter, Michelle and family, where she assisted greatly with running the household. She continued to travel to, or was visited by, all of her children and her sister regularly.
Isabelle spent her final years under the watchful care of the staff at the Marcella Center’s Memory Support Unit in Burlington, NJ. She loved it when she could hold Milo, the resident dog. Right up until her final days she demanded her chocolate milk and Ghirardelli chocolates.
Isabelle was fortunate to enjoy the company of many friends and family throughout her life. Whether they were near or far, still on this earth, or onto their next adventure, she was blessed by all of them with much love and support.
Isabelle is survived by two sons: Walter Mintel (wife, Stephanie) of Port Charlotte, FL and Guy Mintel of Madison NY; two daughters: Jodel Mintel, Astoria, NY and Michelle Visitacion (husband, Alan) of Edgewater Park, NJ; a step-daughter: Belinda Kelly (husband, Peter) of St. Augustine, FL; a daughter-in-law: Penelope Eckrich Mintel; nine grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren. One sister: Rosemary Moshier of Port Charlotte, FL. Several nieces and nephews. As well as many grand-fur-babies.
Isabelle was predeceased by her husband, Leon Dumas; her brother, Richard Lanphere; one grandson, Kaden Eckrich; two step-sons, Scott and Michael Dumas; and one nephew, “Sir” William “Billy” Lanphere.
A private family service to be held on Friday, November 15, 2019. A celebration of life to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America ( https://alzfdn.org/ ); one of Isabelle’s favorite sunset sites, a community non-profit organization, The Red Dragon Canoe Club in Edgewater Park, NJ (http://www.reddragoncanoeclub.org/); or a charity of your choosing in Isabelle’s memory. Arrangements handled by Givnish Funeral Homes, Cinnaminson, NJ.
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