May Isabel Albright

May Isabel Albright, “Isabel” to all who knew her, was born October 18, 1924, to Eldon and Mary (Prickett) Preston in Bend, Oregon, and passed on November 21, 2014, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Raised in a loving family, with her brother Kenny, Isabel Albright shared her love with her family and friends. She enjoyed people, and had lifelong deep friendships. Isabel had an exceptional work ethic. When her husband, William David Albright, served in the military during the Second World War, Isabel Albright worked to pay for ongoing expenses and saved every penny of her husband’s military pay. After the war, they bought their first home with what she saved. Isabel led women’s issues in the workplace. Advances in the rights of women were won by the strength and determination of strong women in earlier generations. One example is equal pay for equal work. As the Secretary to the Chief Engineer of the Highway Department, Isabel testified before the Oregon State Legislature to improve the pay and benefits to women employees. Her testimony was successful. When Isabel retired, the Oregon Highway Department named the Secretary of the Year Award after her. A large calligraphed scroll was presented to her with the Seal of the State of Oregon Highway Commission. The scroll noted that her service, “…won her the respect and admiration of her fellow employees…” and that she “…diligently performed each and every task with competence and a joyful spirit. Her joyful spirit reflected her love of God and vital faith in Jesus Christ. In one of the prayers she wrote and shared at a family gathering, Isabel Albright described the importance of courage and peaceful spirit in all we do. Isabel had many joys. She loved to cook with her granddaughters Lisa and Katrina. Throughout her life she loved to read. She read voluminously. Her husband kept extensive, handwritten lists by author of the books she read. Authors were organized by last name. Isabel had read 232 different authors whose last names began with the letters A, B, or C alone. The thousands of books she read over her lifetime enriched Isabel Albright as she enriched the lives of those she met. Isabel Albright had wonderful friendships. Some friends were life-long from her childhood. Some friends were in Albuquerque and particularly at Bee Hive Village where she lived in her final years. Friends enriched her life. Her son, David, her daughter-in-law, Kathy, her granddaughters Lisa and Katrina, and her great-granddaughters, Roxanne and Isabel, survive her. On December 12, 2014, friends and family will gather between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to come and remember, pray and share memories at a viewing at FRENCH-Wyoming. Following at 1:30 p.m., Isabel will be buried next to her husband, William David Albright at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

May Isabel Albright

October 18, 1924 - November 21, 2014