Isabelle G. Howard, 101, of Chaumont, NY, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2025, at Samaritan Summit Village.

She was born July 7, 1923, near Depauville, New York, the daughter of Howard and Grace (Halliday) Cheever. In 1940, Isabelle was in the first class to graduate from the then new Clayton High School.  She married Hawley "Ray" Howard on October 4, 1941, at the Chaumont Presbyterian parsonage. The couple made their home near Chaumont, where they resided together for over 60 years, and where she continued to reside after Ray passed away in 2005.

Isabelle and her husband owned and operated a dairy farm for 26 years, until a fire destroyed their barn in 1956, after which Ray worked for New York State as a land agent until his retirement.  Throughout her life she was a devoted homemaker who raised her family with love, dedication, wisdom and an unparallelled sense of humor.

Isabelle was a long-time member of the Chaumont Fire Department Auxiliary, where Ray was a volunteer firefighter.  Together they also enjoyed time on their homemade houseboat, and for years attended every dance in the area.  She was known for her hospitality, and her home was always a hub for family and friends.  She was creative and resourceful - a beautiful seamstress, and adept at everything from refinishing furniture to hanging wallpaper, which she did for family and friends as well.  Her greatest joy, apart from her family, was her lifelong passion for reading. She could make herself happy anywhere with a good book.  Affectionately referred to by her contemporaries as 'the dance hall queen", to most of the neighborhood she was "Grandma Howard".

Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn G. and David Peters of Cape Vincent, NY; six grandchildren: Rachel (Bill) McDonough, Robyn (David) Snow, Geoffrey (Emily) Peters, Justine Stover, all of Cape Vincent, NY; Hawley "Bill" Carr, of Plattsburgh, NY, and Gwendolyn (Gabriel) Calderon of Green Cove Springs, FL; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

She was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband, Ray, a daughter, Janet Carr, who passed in 2023, and her siblings June Corp, Hilda Reinman, Howard Cheever and Mary Turcotte.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, May 14th, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home in Dexter, NY. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 15th, at 11 a.m. at Johnson Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Dexter Cemetery.

Donations in Isabelle's memory may be made to the Chaumont Fire Department or Jefferson County Children's Home. Online condolences may be left at www.dexterfuneralhome.com.