Isabella Szczepanski

Isabella Szczepanski

Isabella Szczepanski, age 97 the beloved wife of 61 years to the late Frank Szczepanski Jr. entered into her eternal rest on June 22 at the Mona Assisted Living Home in Peoria Arizona after suffering a stoke the week prior. She was born on August 9, 1928 the oldest daughter to the late Frank and Antoinette (Puccio) Cacciatore. After graduating from Lawrence High School in 1946, she entered the work force as a typist for Metropolitan Life in New York City. She was married in April 1951 and settled in Inwood NY where "Izzy" and "Ish" as they were known raised their six children. Once her children were older, she had a second career as a book keeper for Reliable Travel in Cedarhurst, NY. The most important things to Isabella in her life were her family, friends and her Catholic faith. She was very active in her home parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel where she and her husband were part of the OLGC Players, CYO Bowling Leagues, boy and girl scout leaders, the Rosary Society and the church choir. She continued to pray the Rosary daily until her death. In her retirement she attended Mass daily at OLGC, along with her husband until his death in 2012. In 2013 she moved to her son Paul's property in Yorktown Heights NY where she lived in her own home, spending some winters at her daughter Arienne's home in Glendale Arizona. After her 90th birthday Isabella moved to Glendale full time where she received excellent support and love from her daughter Arienne residing there until December 2025, when doctors determined she should have 24-hour assistance available due to increasing health issues.

Isabella will always be remembered for her love of family, religious faith, her fiercely independent attitude and for being an outstanding cook. Special occasions such as graduations, birthdays and holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter required days of preparation and resulted in a noisy house of family and friends gathering to enjoy the event or season. Isabella was an avid reader, enjoyed needlework, crocheting, flowers, music, shopping and travel. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, but especially with her grandchildren and great grandchild where "Nana" would remind their parents that "I don't have to say no to them" and she never did. Beside her parents and husband, she is predeceased by her sister Marie Antoinette "Babe" Cacciatore, and grandchild Jennifer Quilligan, She is survived by her children Gary, Karen and her husband David, Arienne Quilligan and her husband Roger, Mark and his wife Joann, Adam and his wife Jolanta, Paul and his husband Christopher. She is also survived by her grandchildren Traci (Josh) Magninie, Jamie (Yue), Michael and Lisa (Jay) Szczepanski, Laura and Eric Kranz, Kaitlyn Szczepanski and her great grand daughter Madison Magninie. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the wonderful staff of the Mona Assisted Living Home. The outstanding care, support and love that they provided to our mother / Nana in her final months is truly appreciated. Her time spent there allowed her to be as independent as possible, yet with 24 hour safety and security should she need assistance.

Funeral arrangements are being coordinated by Meserole Five Towns Funeral Home, 143 Lord Ave. Inwood, NY 11096, 516-239-1398. A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 10:30AM at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church located at 68 Wanser Ave. Inwood NY 11096 516-239-0953. Internment will immediately follow at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Cemetery on Rockaway Turnpike, Lawerence NY 11559 718-894-4888. In lieu flowers, memorial contributions in Isabella's name can be made to Our Lady of Good Counsel church at 68 Wanser Ave. Inwood NY 11096.