Isabel also trained as a nurse and worked in Keene for Dr. Harrison in the 1920s before moving to Rochester. A letter of recommendation was written by a Captain Joseph Markley praising her for her duties as head nurse in a ward of 56 beds, mostly war wound surgical cases. In it he wrote:
“… I can safely admit without any mental reservation that Miss McCarthy excels any head Nurse I ever knew and can recommend her for any position of nursing that requires responsibility, morality, neatness, kindness with firmness and extraordinary management. I am exceedingly sorry to lose her”.
In later years, she fell and broke her leg. It was not set properly so she had to use crutches for a long time afterwards.
A letter to Vince McCarthy, dated December 29, 1931 tells of her fracture:
Dear Mr. McCarthy:
We have become interested in the case of your sister, Isabella, and in the event that you have not already been informed of her condition we wish to tell you that she has been in the Rochester General Hospital since November 12, suffering from a compound fracture of the leg. It is likely that she will have to go through a comparatively long period of convalescence and plans for her care on leaving the hospital will have to be made.
Is it possible that you will be coming to Rochester in the near future to see Miss McCarthy, and if so, will you be good enough to get in touch with us so that we may discuss this matter with you? She does not know that we are writing you but it seems wise that her near relatives should know of her condition.
The U.S. Veterans Bureau is caring for her hospital expenses from November 17 to date of discharge, but there is the expense for her care from date of admittance, November 12 to the 17 amounting to $22.50. Could this item be met by you or other relatives?
Yours very truly, Guy D. Harris, Administrator, World War Relief Committee
She moved to Manitoba to be with two of her siblings, Jim and Mary Ellen, and is buried in Roblin.
