Leora Isbell, 84, passed on with the angels with her family at her side as the full moon rose and the sun set on September 20, 2021 in Sonora CA. She had planned on being in France this day with her daughter, Melissa.
Lee was born on June 9, 1937 in Glendale CA to Stained Glass Artist John William (Bill) Rundstrom and Muriel Telsche (Mosher) Rundstrom, and grew up in Altadena CA. Lee graduated from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where she married classmate and early computer guru Carl Russell Black. They had two children Melissa Lynn Black (Tucson, AZ), and Benjamin Roy Black (San Luis Obispo, CA) before moving to California and settling in El Cajon.
After Carl’s death in 1974, Lee went to work for San Diego County and married “cowboy sheriff” Cody Edward Isbell. In 1987 they retired to Pine Mountain Lake near Yosemite where they continued their mutual passion for motorcycle riding and RV camping. Cody passed away in 2000 and Lee remained in PML until her death.
After retirement Lee created many beautiful quilts, provided homes to indoor and feral cats, improved her French and traveled at least yearly to France, went RV camping, spent time with her family and kept up her computer skills while maintaining her blog Traveling Sardine Class.
She donated generously to many causes, especially the arts, animal care, civil liberties, the environment and humanitarian aid.
Lee’s granddaughter Liliana remembers how Lee named her middle and high school Sci-fi book club as one of the large influences of her life in terms of long-term friendships and ways of thinking. Lee was an activist who fought for civil rights, ending war and rode motorcycles while raising her children.
Lee’s love will continue to shine in the hearts of her sister Elaine Kathleen Fisher and her husband Philip Fisher; her sisters-in -law Tory Moss and Marge Woods; her children Ben and Melissa; her stepchildren Darlene Brenha, Cody Isbell Jr. and Ronny Isbell; her grandchildren Roman Black, Emily Rose Astiz Rose, Liliana Astiz, Rio Astiz, Christopher Black and Ashley Black; and all their families.
Lee’s legacy will live on in the lives of her family, people, and animals she touched and loved. A Celebration of Lee’s Life will be held on Thursday June 9,2022 at Pine Mountain Lake Grill. Please contact the family for details.
