Isabel Ann Lamal Plater

1935 - 2021

Isabel Ann Lamal Plater

Isabel Ann Lamal Plater passed away Thursday, April 1, 2021, of natural causes. She was born March 21, 1935, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Andre Hunt Lamal, M.D. and Isabel Conway Lamal. She grew up with her family in Ashland, Wisconsin as the oldest of 9 children. Isabel attended Rosary College in River Forest, Illinois, then attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in English.

She married Joseph R. Plater II, D.D.S. in 1958; they moved to Reno, Nevada to open Joe's dental practice. Isabel volunteered for the Nevada Museum of Art, joined tennis clubs, taught Catholic catechism, played piano (as classically trained) and raised five children. She was known for her extreme independence, strong work ethic, charity, love of reading -- but mostly for her no-nonsense honesty and intellect. Her children will forever cherish her as the reliable and responsible family "rock" matriarch. She frequented Reno-area tennis courts including Virginia Lake and Idlewild walking paths. She loved to cook and hosted numerous Thanksgivings, Christmases, and birthdays for family and friends.

Isabel taught English, Humanities, and other courses at Morrison College (formerly Reno Business College) to thousands of students over many years. There was not a rule of grammar or usage she didn't know. For a time, she was the chair of the English Department; she also taught classes at Truckee Meadows Community College and UNR. After raising her children, she earned her Master's Degree in English as a Second Language, studied French, spent a year teaching ESL in Japan through UNR, and continued to teach English to second language learners upon her return. Isabel's students respected her.

Isabel is survived by her brothers Peter (Polly), Andre, and James Lamal, and sister, Mary (Tom) Ostrom; her four children, Joe (Lori) Plater, Ann (Coleman) Warren, Jonathan (Caroline) Plater, Polly (Mike) Pollock; one niece and four nephews; 14 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Daniel Harmon Plater, and her siblings, Paul, Jonathan, Christopher, and Suzanne Lamal.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life to be held at the Somersett Clubhouse, 7650 Town Square Lane, Reno, Nevada, at 4:30 p.m. on June 18, 2021.