Obituary of Isabelle Bentley Fenton

Mrs. Isabelle Bentley Fenton, 94, of Juno Beach, FL, died peacefully at home early Wednesday morning, June 1, 2016. Isabelle was born in New Rochelle on May 13, 1922, the daughter of Bertram and Louise (McCumber) Bentley. She grew up in Bellmore, Long Island, but spent much of every summer visiting her grandmother, Jennie McCumber, in Andes, the village she loved all her life. She graduated from Wellington C. Mepham High School in 1939 and earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from SUNY Oneonta (then Oneonta State Teachers College) in 1943. On January 25, 1944, she married Donald McLean Fenton at her grandmother's home in Andes, while he was home on leave from the US Army. Isabelle volunteered in the Margaretville Hospital until the war was over and her husband returned. They settled in Margaretville, where he practiced law and she taught Kindergarten at Margaretville Central School until 1977. After her retirement, the Fentons wintered in Florida until moving there permanently in 1994. Isabelle was an energetic and accomplished woman who was active in many organizations. She was a member (president 1963-64) of the Margaretville Teachers' Association and the Margaretville PTA (treasurer 1959-60). She was a member of the Delaware County Republican Committee (1951-89), where she served as vice chairwoman for twenty-five years and chairman from 1969-70. She was a member of the SUNY Delhi College Council from 1972-82, and served as chair of that body from 1974-82. Isabelle was a board member of the New York State Association of Council Members and College Trustees for 10 years and president of the Board from 1980-82. When she and her husband moved to Florida, she was elected to the Board of Directors of Lake Harbour Towers South, and even in her late 70's and 80's she was a vital member of the Lake Park (FL) Kiwanis Club, where she served as program chair. Isabelle was known for her excellent cooking, which she mastered throughout her life. She had a special passion for creating delicious desserts, as well as fruit conserves and jams from her peach trees and berry bushes. She loved singing, dancing, 40's music, and she was an avid and accomplished bridge player. She was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband of 53 years, Donald ("Duke"), in 1997, and a younger brother, John Otis Bentley, who was killed in a tragic car accident in 1927. Isabelle is survived by her three children and their spouses, Andrea and William Campbell of Delhi; John and Debra Fenton of Portland, ME; and James and Lisa Fenton of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; five grandchildren, Johanna, Andrew, and Benjamin Campbell, and Ryan and David Fenton; and by five great-grandchildren, Cruz, Holland, Charlotte, Jeffrey and Sydney Campbell. Calling hours for Isabelle will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 9, at the Hall & Peet Funeral Home, 134 Main Street, Delhi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 10, at St. Peter's Church, Cross Street, Delhi, with Rev. Edward Golding, celebrant. Burial in the Andes Cemetery will follow. Memorial gifts in remembrance of Isabelle may be made to Boston Children's Hospital, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or the Delaware County Veterans' Service Agency. Please visit www.hallandpeet.com to share condolences with Isabelle's family.