Isabel Delores McCarthy, 96, passed away on September 25 th, 2021, after a brief illness. Isabel was born in Oxnard on May 24, 1925, She was a graduate of Oxnard High School’s Class of
1944. She and her husband, Robert McCarthy, resided in Canoga Park, CA. for over 30 years, where they raised their three children. Isabel was employed by Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International as a Materials and Production Manager for production of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). She was selected, along with others from the facility, to attend the first launch of Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-1) on April 12, 1981 (Bob Crippin and John Young onboard): it was “a sight I will never forget”, she later said.
After a 21 year career with Rocketdyne, Isabel retired in 1989 and moved back to Oxnard, to be back where she was from and to again be back with her family. She joined many social
organizations:
Food Share of Ventura County, where she worked in the fields as a ‘Gleaner”, picking
crops of fresh vegetables to be given to the needy.
US Navy League- Channel Islands Council:
o Navy Leaguer of the Year: 1998
o “Letter of Appreciation” from the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society for her many
years of hosting The Navy League Baby Showers for gathering donations to
purchase and distribute diapers, clothing, toys and accessories “that will
contribute to the morale and welfare of the Navy and Marine Corps personnel
and families’.
o A member of the Friends of the Bard mansion.
o 2004 Certificate of Recognition for “Your dedication and Commitment to Our
Community” with the Navy League of the United States Channel Islands Council,
from the California State Assembly, signed Audra Strickland, Member of the
Assembly, California State Legislature.
Port Hueneme Rotary Club: Honors from the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for an
outstanding year of service to the community.
Her greatest joys were volunteering to prepare and serve food for those in need and spending time with family at get-togethers for Holidays, birthdays, and family backyard BBQs at her home on Madora Ave. She became a huge sports fan when her grandson began playing football and continued when her granddaughter started playing basketball for St. Bonaventure High School- she never missed a game.
Isabel is preceded in death by her husband, Robert McCarthy, and her son Frank McCarthy.
Isabel is survived by her son William (Peggie) McCarthy of Oxnard, her daughter Susan (Eric) Peterson of Camarillo, and her two grandchildren, Stephen (Brynn) of Thousand Oaks and Erin
(Matthew) of Franklin, MA.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday the 14 th of October at 10:00 AM at Santa Clara Catholic Church, 323 S “E” St, Oxnard, CA 93030.
God Bless you Isabel Delores McCarthy.
In Lieu of Flowers, please consider giving to one of these charities:
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
Food Share of Ventura County
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in memory of Isabel D. McCarthy, please visit our floral store.