Isabella Lockhart Obituary

Isabella Manewal Lockhart, who celebrated her 101st birthday in November, died June 28, 2013, at her home in Durango.

Mrs. Lockhart was born Nov. 26, 1911, to German immigrants Louis Christopher Manewal and Auguste Ulrich in Cheyenne, Wyo.

She had a brother, Louis Christopher Manewal Jr., a half-brother and four half-sisters.

Mrs. Lockhart, who was known as Izzy, graduated from Cheyenne High School. She attended what is now Colorado State University for two years. She then transferred to the University of Wyoming and graduated in 1933 with a bachelor's degree in education.

She taught school in a two-room school in Horse Creek, Wyo.

Mrs. Lockhart met her future husband, George Royal Lockhart, in Cheyenne. He was a pilot who monitored weather phenomena by plane in the early days of meteorology. While still courting, he would fly over his sweetheart's school and drop love notes. His pilot's license was signed by Orville Wright.

The couple was married May 25, 1935, in Des Moines, Iowa, by her father-in-law, William Lockhart.

George Lockhart was a pilot with United Airlines, and he was stationed in Denver, Chicago and then Denver again where they spent the remainder of their working lives. In Denver, Mrs. Lockhart was active in the American Association of University Women, many bowling and bridge clubs and the Delta Gamma Mother's Club.

In 1969, the Lockharts moved to Durango, where they were active in the First Presbyterian Church, the Durango Club and Hillcrest Golf Club. Mrs. Lockhart loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. She enjoyed playing bridge and entertaining bridge groups.

Mrs. Lockhart was blessed with a special long-term caregiver, Earlene Bara. She loved the natural world, especially hummingbirds and deer in her backyard.

The Lockharts were married 56 years when he died in 1991. Mrs. Lockhart also was preceded in death by a daughter, Royalyn Brady.

Mrs. Lockhart is survived by her daughter, Ulys Ann Gardella of Durango; her son, George Douglas Lockhart of Eldridge, Iowa; and eight grandchildren.

Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church, with Pastors Earl Caudill and Beau Smith officiating. A celebration of life will take place at DoubleTree Hotel with a luncheon after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 1 Mercado Street, Suite 270, Durango, CO 81301. Mrs. Lockhart resided at the hospice twice and left twice when her situation improved.