Isabel (Shirley I Best) Kanaly, a longtime Laramie resident, died April 3, 2016.
Isabel was born on February 5, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan to Bernice (Franchere) and William F. Best. She graduated from St. Mary’s of Redford High School in 1941. When World War II broke out, she left Wayne State College and spent five years working for Kermath Motor Corp. In 1945, she met Coast Guardsman, John J. Kanaly at a USO dance. They were married on February 8th, 1947 and relocated to Craig, Colorado where John’s family was living. In 1950 they moved to Laramie, where together they raised 11 children.
Isabel was a longtime member of St. Laurence O’Toole Catholic Church and was active in many church and school activities. She and John were members of the VFW, Moose Lodge, Union Pacific Railroad Old Timers Club, Good Samaritan Club, and the Motor Coach Association. Isabel was a leader of Camp Fire Girls clubs for 23 years and received the Camp Fire Girls of America Service Award. She was also active in the Albany County Home Extension Club.
Her retirement years were spent traveling with John in their motorhome visiting family and friends around the country. She then spent 17 of the last 20 winters at her Mesa, Arizona home while looking forward to returning home to Laramie each summer. Since Sept. 2015 she has been a resident of Spring Wind.
She was a wonderful mother of 11 children, grandmother of 25, great grandmother of 14 and surrogate mother to many children who came to her home whenever the need arose. Her greatest pride was her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, her oldest son, John Patrick Kanaly and husband John J. Kanaly.
Survivors include a brother, William Best of Waterford, Michigan and a sister, Mary Therese Merritt of Huston, Texas; children and their spouses, Theresa and Bob Hamby , Canon City, Colorado; Pat and Rick Burdick, Longmont, Colorado; Mike and Sue Kanaly, Broomfield, Colorado; Shirley Kanaly, Laramie; Marian and Larry Gore, Laramie; Tim and Mary Kanaly, Denver, Colorado; Paul Kanaly, Laramie; Suzy and David Blumenshine, Juneau, Alaska; Lisa and Joe Buescher, Littleton, Colorado; Barbie and Jim Ross, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; 25 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Rosary will be recited on Thursday evening, April 7th at 5:30 p.m. at St. Laurence Catholic Church followed by visitation. Funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, April 8th at 10:00 a.m. also at St. Laurence Catholic church. Interment will follow at Green Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Laurence Catholic School, 608 S. Fourth St, Laramie, Wyoming 82070.
21 Comments To "Isabel (Shirley) Kanaly"
#1 Comment By Lorie Christy On April 4, 2016 @ 11:57 pm
So very very sorry to hear of Isabel’s passing. She was a great lady!!
#2 Comment By Michelle Johnson Lee On April 8, 2016 @ 6:59 pm
Peace and prayers to all the Kanaly family. Walking the planet now without our parents is a different place. Wishing you all the best as you live the great life Isabel and John created for you.
Michelle Johnson Lee
#3 Comment By Bob & Robert Berger On April 5, 2016 @ 3:06 pm
Marian & family, We are so very sorry for your loss. So grateful your Mom has been released from her Earthly restraints. Prayers & love to your entire family. Bobby & Rhonda Berger
#4 Comment By Anonymous On April 6, 2016 @ 1:28 am
So sorry to hear the passing of your mother Paul, my prayers are with you and your family
Love Pam Brown
#5 Comment By Pamela Brown On April 6, 2016 @ 1:31 am
Paul, So sorry to hear of you mom passing, my prayers are with you and your family
#6 Comment By Tammy speechley On April 6, 2016 @ 1:34 pm
what a fabulous picture! I was blessed to know your mother for a short time, she is a loving caring lady who always loved talking about how wonderful her family was, her great-grandchildren, her grandchildren, daughters, sons, friends, the blessings in their lives and eve n all the hardships… She was a wonderful lady and I feel blessed to have had her in my life even for such a short time. You all are so blessed to have had her as a mother.May she rest in peace and may you find peace in your heart and comfort in knowing she’s in a better place. God comfort you all…my sincerest sympathies all my love and prayers are to you all.
Keep it precious,
Tammy Speechley
#7 Comment By Chris Worster On April 6, 2016 @ 3:57 pm
Marian and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your mothers passing, know that she is always with you in your hearts and in the wonderful memories you have all created, cherish everyone of them dearly. Prayers to all of the family. Chris Worster
#8 Comment By Debbie Diehl On April 6, 2016 @ 4:10 pm
Marian and Family: My sincerest sympathy to all of you. For the short time that I got to meet and know Isabel I could see what a special lady she was. Knowing that she is HOME and being cared for by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I now pray for peace and comfort for you. Praise God for the memories that He gives us of our loved ones. Love and Prayers . . . Deb
#9 Comment By Anonymous On April 6, 2016 @ 5:13 pm
God Bless Mrs. Kanaly. She was a great woman who raised a great family.
#10 Comment By Jon Johnson On April 7, 2016 @ 2:58 am
Sorry to learn of Isabel’s passing. She was a terrific tough lovely person, and raised a great family. I always appreciated Isabel’s energy, friendliness, her direct communication skills and her wisdom. I am sure all the Kanaly family is very sad, but you should be also very proud of your mother, and please realize she had a great life. I will miss Mrs. Kanaly. Jon Johnson
#11 Comment By Tawnie Kern On April 7, 2016 @ 2:12 pm
I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Isabel. I knew her growing up as a kid going to her house with my Grandmother, MaryAnn Kern and visiting during the afternoons. She was a sweet lady and will be greatly missed! Prayers of comfort during this difficult time go out to the Kanaly family and hoping God will wrap you all in his loving arms.
#12 Comment By connie fish On April 7, 2016 @ 4:02 pm
Shirley and Family, please accept my deepest sympathies to all of you. my prayers are with you.
#13 Comment By Anonymous On April 7, 2016 @ 8:34 pm
We are very sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with your entire family. Larry and Evelyn Bonger
#14 Comment By Anonymous On April 8, 2016 @ 3:43 am
To all the Kanaly family. Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your Mom. what a wonderful woman she was and always so kind to us. Enjoy the wonderful memories. They will get you through some tough times ahead.
Roy and Betty (Montoya) Eurioste
#15 Comment By Jean Ryan Oxley On April 8, 2016 @ 4:51 am
Isabel “Izzy” Kanaly was always a positive person. She & John J. loved their children. It seemed that Izzy was always cooking cookies or sewing clothes for the family. My sister, Marjory Ryan, was one of the baby sitters for the children in the late 1950’s. Marjory enjoyed the children & working for the Kanalys. Our prayers are with the entire family.
Jean (Ryan) Oxley
#16 Comment By Anonymous On April 8, 2016 @ 4:59 pm
So very sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. I have so many fond memories of her.
May God’s love comfort you all. My sincere sympathy to all her family along with my love and prayers.
Gloria and Jeff Codd
#17 Comment By Carol Moore On April 8, 2016 @ 5:45 pm
Suzy, David and Nikki, so sorry for the loss of your mother and Grandmother. I know how much you enjoyed staying there Nikki, even though she thought we were nuts those many days of hair coloring. Prayers and thoughts to you all and the family. Carol Moore
#18 Comment By Gina Best-Neylon On April 10, 2016 @ 1:08 am
Dear Kanaly cousins,my heart goes out to you all. I have so many warm memories of Aunt Isabel,she was fun,sweet and kind, and we always looked forward to her and Uncle John’s visits. She will be dearly missed. Love and hugs, Gina
#19 Comment By Anonymous On April 12, 2016 @ 2:02 pm
I chatted with this sweet lady a while back when visiting my mother at Springwind. I am very sorry for your loss. May your memories of her always bring a smile.
Carol Schwartz
#20 Comment By Anonymous On April 14, 2016 @ 4:53 am
Peace, love and memories to your amazing family. God speed?
#21 Comment By Anonymous On April 17, 2016 @ 5:44 pm
Shirley and family, I am sorry for your loss. May your mother’s love and memories be with you always. Cathy Comin Bowman.