After a long battle with dementia, Isabel passed away peacefully holding the hand of her husband of 65 years.

Isabel was born on August 13, 1926 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to William Clelland and Isabel (Thomson) Clelland, the third of eight children.  Isabel had fond memories of summer when the Clelland family would break out their camping gear and spend a few weeks at nearby Alberta Beach.

Throughout her 20s, Isabel worked as a bookkeeper at Swift's Meatpacking in Edmonton.

In 1956, she decided to accompany her sister Ruby on a grand adventure: going to live and work in the United States.  They stopped at the first big town they came to after crossing the border, Great Falls.  Isabel and Ruby found jobs in local businesses, and enjoyed the social scene and dancing with twin brothers Richard and Robert Blossom of Fort Shaw.  Isabel and Richard (Dick) married on Feb. 1, 1958, followed soon after by Ruby and Robert (Bob).

Dick worked for Hilde Construction, building and managing highway projects all over the state.  Isabel traveled with him when she could, and she and their boys, Loren and Neal, spent many happy summers in trailers and rented farmhouses in various locations in Montana. During the school year, Isabel and the boys would return to Great Falls.  Isabel was active in the PTA and Cub Scouts.  Dick would come home in the fall for the family to enjoy hunting.  Although she never carried a gun or a fishing rod, Isabel often accompanied them.  She spent her 80th birthday backpacking in the mountains.

Isabel's favorite time of year was Christmas.  Isabel decorated and baked, and welcomed family to her home.

As the boys grew, Isabel found time to work as a playground aid at Morningside School, and volunteered at Paris Gibson Square.

When Dick retired, he and Isabel became quite handy and remodeled 14 homes in Great Falls. They were active members of Christ United Methodist Church and the Salvation Army.  Isabel and Dick were instrumental in making their neighborhood park, Heren Park, a reality.  Isabel spent many hours watering and weeding the park's gardens.  Her daily jogs around the park prompted her to enter her first Rankin Run 5K in 1987, which then led to many more local fun runs.  Years later, her name could regularly be found in the top runners listed in her 80+ age group in various Great Falls runs and in the Helena Governor's Cup.  She was the family seamstress, making everything from custom hunting vests to beautiful quilts.  Her all-time favorite hobby, however, was playing with her grandchildren.  They loved their parent-free visits at Grandma's place.

Isabel is preceded in death by her siblings: Grace, Ruby, Edith, Dorothy, Bill, and Margaret.

Isabel is survived by Dick, her husband of 65 years, as well as her sister Jessie Cheyne of Edmonton.  She is also survived by her sons, Loren (Sue), and Neal (Kathie Roos), all of Helena.  Her four grandchildren are Callan (Austin) Reyher of Ennis, Taylor of Manchester NH, Tallis of Helena and Norris of Bozeman.  She had special relationships with the children of Ruby and Bob:  Steven (Julie) of Houston, Scott (Heidi) and Debra, of Helena.

The family thanks the staff at Touchmark and Lois LeMieux and Theresa Wold for the many hours they spent with Isabel as her health declined.

Funeral services will be held at Christ United Methodist church in Great Falls on Monday, February 27th at noon- reception to follow.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to The Salvation Army or the charity of your choice.