Betty Smith MacIsaac

1925 - 2010

Betty Smith MacIsaac, age 84, of Ventura, passed away on Monday morning, Oct. 25, 2010.

She was born on Nov. 11,1925 in a little house on Gertruda Street in Redondo Beach, Calif., to Nina Heck Smith and Fred A. Smith. Along with her brothers, Royce and Warren, the family settled in Ventura County where "Pop" Fred pursued employment as an oil worker. Betty attended Ventura High School, graduating with the class of 1943.

In May 1945, Betty was hard at work behind the desk in an optometrist's office in the Zander Building on Main Street, Ventura, when she was spotted by a tall, handsome Army lieutenant, Jim MacIsaac, who made a sudden command decision to get his eyes checked. Thus started a three month courtship, culminating in an August wedding shortly after V-J Day. Betty and Jim remained happily married for 54 years until he passed in May 2000.

Betty and Jim moved to Los Angeles, with the exception of a three-year period of time when Jim served in Germany during the Korean War (accompanied by Betty and daughter Kathleen). They lived in the greater Los Angeles area, later retiring to Carlsbad, Calif., in the 1970s. Enthusiastic about her stay in Germany, she immediately started incorporating many German holiday customs into the family festivities, much to the delight of her daughter who loved putting her school shoes outside the front door on Christmas Eve and discovering the next morning that Santa Claus had left treats in them. Betty also assured her daughter that Santa Claus absolutely did not live in the North Pole, but much closer, over on that nearby hill, in the Heidelburg Castle.

A wonderful and loving wife, mother and homemaker, Betty also worked several years as an office manager, and still found time to put in many, many hours as a volunteer at California Hospital in L.A. She got great enjoyment from gardening (community award for best landscape), oil painting, working with stained glass, making doll houses (along with Jim), reading voraciously and taking care of their dogs.

Betty is survived by daughter Kathleen, of Ventura; her brothers, Royce and Warren, and their families. Per Betty's request, there will be no service. She will be interred at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura.

Much gratitude is offered to Dr. James Sands who took such wonderful and thoughtful care of mom in her last few years; to Assisted Home Hospice of Ventura; and to the wonderful staff at Cypress Place.

If so desired, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, the Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Charles Carroll Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www.charlescarrollfuneralhome.com.