1916 – 2005
Isabelle was born and raised in London. She joined the League of Health and Beauty in its infancy and was to continue teaching for the next 50 years. This work took her to Canada where she was to find herself stranded and unable to leave at the outbreak of the war. Returning to London in the late 1940s she met Gerald Nice, a widower with two very young children, Richard and Bryony. They married, moved to Chipperfield in 1950 and in 1951 their son Peter was born. Isabelle enjoyed village life for the next 40 years. As well as riding her horse Bella in the early years and being an active member of the W.I., she will also be remembered for her ‘Extend’ classes in the Village Hall. As a well known and highly competent teacher with the League of Health and Beauty, and having overcome her own disability as a result of childhood polio, she ran these exercise classes to help people realise, and benefit from, their capabilities of movement.
Having moved from White Oaks to Commonwood shortly after Gerald died in 1977 she then moved to Framers Court in Lane End in 1990.
Isabelle had many other interests – theatre and the arts, birds and wildlife, gardening and bridge. And of course, her beloved poodles!
A strong and vibrant character, at times outspoken, she nurtured many loyal friendships which survived until today. She also delighted in her family, Richard, Bryony and Peter, daughters-in-law Jackie and Louise, her grandchildren Samantha, Andrew, Oliver, Sarah and Harriet and her great grandson James.
She had suffered several small strokes in the last few years and had always tried to put her teaching skills into her own rehabilitation, but inevitably became very frustrated at her lack of mobility, and latterly and more importantly, her lack of independence.
Eventually ill health forced an intolerable but necessary move last August, to a Care Home in Marlow, and very recently to Wycombe General Hospital where she died on 8th March.