Isabella Mustard

wath Mustard, 91, of Fortine and Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, passed to the light on Dec. 23, 2012, at Kona Community Hospital following a tragic car accident while riding with one of her dearest friends on their way to play Bingo on Dec. 4.

She was born June 4, 1921, in Anaconda to Michael Horwath of Hungary and Mary Maxwell of Scotland.   Her parents owned a bakery and she and her younger sister Chrissie and brother James would help their parents deliver the baked goods to customers.

She grew up surrounded by the love of her Scottish family; her Uncle George Maxwell and Aunt Lucy along with their children, Georgie, Carol and Richard lived in nearby Warm Springs and her Aunt Christina Mesenko and Uncle George lived in Anaconda with their children Ann and Fred.

Her maternal grandparents, James and Isabella Mason Maxwell, lived just a few blocks away and instilled within her the desire to always strive for her best while growing up.

She worked at the Galen State Sanatorium as an aide following graduation from Anaconda High School. After marrying her husband, Orville Mustard, in 1942, she served as one of the first dispatchers for the Ant Flat Ranger Station at Trego.

An avid dancer and vocalist, she enjoyed teaching all the latest dance steps and songs to her beloved new family and friends. As Orville was a first cousin to the Osler brothers, and his brother Jack lived nearby, this included a large number of folks. A true pioneer woman, she packed water to their cabin and ranch animals from a stream on their ranch near Crystal Lakes for 11 years and cooked with a wood-burning stove. Purchasing their home from the Ericksons at the end of Deep Creek Road finally gave her running water.

In 1947, daughter Laura Ann was born and work focused on the care of her child, husband and ranch.

Isabella was an active member of the Fortine Community Church and was a community ambassador to many families. She was honored with a Community Service Award for her community activism.

Many will recall cream puffs or Hawaiian fruitcakes given by her as random acts of kindness.  She would always take time to assist friends in need, sit with an ailing patient, take food to those who were having difficult times, and celebrate every wedding, birth, and birthday of her community friends. She was an original columnist with the Tobacco Valley News and served in this capacity for decades with her “Fortine Flickers” column.

A wonderful hostess and cook, Isabella’s home was always full of family and friends enjoying meals, celebrations, card games and dances. Isabella was a charter member of the Mountain View Home Demonstration Club and an active member of the Just Neighbors Club. She was a member of the Rebeccas and served as their Grand Matron. She was a 4-H parent as well as a parental leader for the Fortine Community School.  In later years she was a member of the Red Hat Society.

Isabella became the clerk for the Fortine School District and served in this capacity until her retirement at age 70. During these years she also worked as a clerk at the Fortine Mercantile. She adored her husband, Orville, who preceded her in death in 1983.  During the 30 years that followed his death, she enjoyed traveling nationally and abroad with her daughter and husband and she spent each winter vacationing in Hawaii where she made many friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Laura Mallery-Sayre; son-in-law, Dr. Frank Sayre; granddaughter, Laura and husband Dru Dunworth; and great-grandsons Jack and Shane Dunworth of Austin, Texas; nephew Dan and wife Jan Vuicich of Phoenix; nephew Michael and wife Starla Horwath and children of Missoula; niece Helen and husband Dan Blank and son of Anaconda; cousins Richard Maxwell, Carol Crego, Ramona Maxwell, Fred and wife Sharon Mesenko and children.

Her family also included all the Osler family and the dependents of the Mustard family including grandniece Fern and husband Mike Sartori and family. She was Grammabelle to Tim and Lynn Rose Pine, Aunt Izzy to the family and beloved mother to her grateful daughter. Isabella was a friend to all that met her.

Memorial services will be held for her at the Fortine Community Church on Saturday, July 6, 2013, at 2 p.m., followed by grave side services at the Fortine Cemetery.  Isabella’s family invites you to please save the date, come and share stories and celebrate the life of this amazingly wonderful woman.