Isabel Quintero

Isabel Quintero, age 84, passed away on September 12, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. She was born July 25, 1941 in Bogotá, Colombia. Isabel is preceded in death by her loving husband of 54 years, Francisco. She is survived by her three children, Margarita, Juan Carlos (Viviana), and Maria Isabel; three grandchildren, Vanessa (Christopher), William, Trevor; and one great-granddaughter, Clara. Isabel is also survived by four siblings: Rosalba, Jorge (Cecilia), Amanda, Myriam; and many cherished nieces and nephews. Isabel’s greatest joy was spending time with her beloved family and friends from all over the world, as she embraced a life filled with connection, travel, and adventure. After growing up in a family of eight siblings in Bogotá, she got married at just 18 years old to the love of her life, Frank. At the age of 21, Isabel, along with her husband and two toddlers, emigrated from Colombia to the United States, where they later welcomed their third child. Only a few short years later, she embarked on another adventure as she and her family spent four years in Brussels, Belgium as part of Frank’s military service at the NATO Health Clinic. Amazingly, by the age of 27, Isabel had lived in three countries, learned three languages, and, perhaps her proudest achievement, had become a mother of three. After returning to the US, Isabel and her family established their home in Freehold, NJ, where they lived for about 30 years. Those who knew Isabel during this time will remember her role as hostess of countless parties celebrating every occasion, particularly New Year’s Eve. It was here that she also welcomed several nieces and nephews over the years, and later on helped to raise her granddaughter. Because of Isabel’s immeasurable generosity and love for her family, this New Jersey home became special to so many of her loved ones. Her next chapter took her to Florida for 16 years. Isabel easily developed a flourishing social circle and thrived as a Floridian. In 2019, she moved to Oregon and lived her final years surrounded by all of her children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter living in the Portland area. Anyone who knew Isabel knew of her gentle spirit, her tender heart, and her gift of connecting with people. It was a long standing joke in her family that she could walk into a room and leave with someone crying on her shoulder and sharing their life story. Isabel’s presence immediately put others at ease, whether you were her close relative or a stranger. She made others feel important, cared for, and safe. It was clear that what Isabel cherished most were the deep bonds she had built with her family and lifelong friends. Her very essence was her kindness and the sincere relationships she formed with others. Even in her final years, though much of her memory had been plagued by Alzheimer’s, this spirit of hers never faded. Isabel was vibrant and joyful until the very end. The family welcomes you to celebrate her life on October 10, 2025 in Royal Palm Beach, FL. Please visit www.palmswestfuneralhome.com for more information regarding the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate.

Isabel Quintero

July 25, 1941 - September 12, 2025