Torrey Ann Massey Isaac

She was born July 14, 1928, in Pittsburgh, PA, the daughter of the late Francis and Dorothy Rawsthorne Massey.

Torrey was a 1946 Graduate of Mount Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh, PA. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Art History from Ohio Wesleyan University where she met her husband, Robert. Torrey grew up spending summers in Maple Springs on Chautauqua Lake. Her dream was to live on the lake. In 1964 she and Robert moved their family from Cleveland, Ohio to Chautauqua Institution where they became year-round residents. Torrey later pursued a degree in Library Science and became the librarian at Chautauqua Central School for a few years. She then began her long career as the librarian at Smith Memorial Library at Chautauqua Institution.

Over the years, Torrey had been the president of the Chautauqua County Mental Health Board, a member of the League of Women Voters, and a volunteer for the Ashville Library and the Red Cross. She provided library services to the Chautauqua County Jail, and she was a poll worker for the Board of Elections. In earlier years she attended the Hurlbut Memorial United Methodist Church.

Torrey was a lifelong learner. She enjoyed reading, art, nature, classical music, traveling, and most of all her family. She had a great sense of humor and a deep sense of wonder.

Torrey is survived by her two daughters: Jennifer (Stephen) Spas of North Harmony, NY and Lindsey (Donald Lopus) Isaac-Lopus of West Ellicott, NY, six grandchildren: Katrina (James) Freay of North Harmony, NY, Melissa (Giovanni Machado) Spas of Jamestown, NY, Henry (Erica) Spas of Tidioute, PA, Larkin (Justin Nusome) Spas of Erie, PA, Alexander Lopus of West Ellicott, NY, and Torrey (Stephen) Beck of Sharon, MA, seven great-grandchildren: Robin, Isaac, and Eleanor Freay, Huckleberry Spas, Cameron and Quinn Beck, and Robert Machado, a sister in law, Sheila Massey of Annandale, VA, a daughter-in-law. Karen Klimczyk of Mars, PA and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert P. Isaac Sr., whom she married June 24, 1950, a son, Robert P. Isaac Jr., and two siblings: Barbara Boyer and Richard Massey.

There will be no public services observed. A private celebration of life will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations can be made to the Smith Memorial Library (PO Box 1093, Chautauqua, NY 14722), or the Ashville Library (2200 N. Maple Ave, Ashville, NY 14710).

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com