Isabel (Saavedra) Alfano

Isabel Alfano of Audubon Pennsylvania passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at Shannondell Retirement Community in Audubon, PA she was ninety-eight years old.

Isabel was born in Mariano Cuba on March 16, 1926 to the late Clemencia Caballero and Antonio Saavedra. Isabel first came to this country in 1948 to Jamaica, Queens NY living with her sister Hilda. Later she moved to Otisville, NY and commuted to work in Port Jervis, NY at the Novelty Slipper Company. Isabel wanting to live closer to her work, boarded with Margaret and Carmen Acovino in the Italian section of Port Jervis referred to as the Acre, then with Ralph and Elizabeth Schaefer in Matamoras and eventually with Rose and Carl Bockemuhl in Matamoras. Rose and Carl became surrogate parents to Isabel and surrogate grandparents to her three sons. It was while living with Rose and Carl that Isabel met her husband Frederick William White III. Isabel first met Fred while he was painting the outside of the 1st National Bank of Matamoras with his father Frederick William White Jr. Isabel and Fred’s romance would begin at their next chance meeting at Joe Dunns Steak house while Isabel was out with her friends Carol Haas, Carmela Miglianaco, Rose Vicera and Helen Benson. Isabel and Fred married in 1955 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and while living in Matamoras, PA had three sons Frederick William White IV (Bill), Michael and Joseph. They would later, in 1964, move to a residence on Ann Street in Milford, PA to raise their three sons. In 1971 while living at the Ann Street residence, Isabel became a proud U.S. Citizen.   

Through the years, Isabel often worked two jobs and night shifts, at various local establishments, including Kolmar Cosmetics, The Laurel Villa Restaurant & Casino, and Sparkomatic Corporation to help raise her sons.

Isabel loved Milford and the natural surrounding area including the Delaware River, The Sawkill Creek, and the beauty of the changing seasons.

In 1982, Isabel married Michael Alfano. Isabel and Michael lived for a short time in Gold Key Lake Estates in Dingmans before retiring to Boca-Raton, FL. and enjoyed over 25 years together until Michaels passing in 2008. Isabel then moved to the Exton, PA area to be closer to her sons, family, and friends. Isabel was very independent and only recently moved into an assisted living residence six months ago.

Isabel was an avid bowler and continued to bowl in a league well into her nineties. She was also a big Phillies baseball fan and loved watching the games on TV. In later years, Isabel made many local friends and very much enjoyed a game of cards, a competitive game of Rummikub, Bingo, and putting together puzzles.  What Isabel most enjoyed was spending time with her children, grandchildren and extended family.

Isabel was a devout Catholic and looked forward to her eldest son Bill faithfully picking her up every Sunday for 15 years to go to Mass at Saints Philip and James Catholic Church and brunch afterward. Isabel lived a life of high ethical and moral standards that embodied her Catholic Christian faith that were and continue to be an inspiration to her sons and their families.

Isabel’s direct way of speaking to her family and friends and sound advice in her loving wisdom, will be sorely missed by all.

Isabel is predeceased by her sisters: Hilda, Martha, Cruz, brother Jesus, and grandson Joseph Tyler White. She is survived by her sister Conchita, and sons; Bill and wife Susan, Michael and partner John DiLeo, and Joe and his wife Dorothann, grandchildren Jacob and Abigail White and one great-granddaughter Solara White & many special friends including Carol Haas (Rose and Carl Bockemuhl’s daughter) who was like a sister to Isabel.

Funeral arrangements are by Logan Funeral Homes 698 E Lincoln Highway Exton, PA 19341. Additional information regarding the Funeral Arrangements can be found at the following Logan Funeral Home website: https://www.loganfuneralhomes.com/listings

A viewing will be held at Saints Philip and James Catholic Church 723 Lincoln Hwy E, Exton, PA 19341 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on February 6th, 2025 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11:00 am. The Reverend Joseph Dieckhaus will be officiating. Burial will be at the Delaware Cemetery in Dingmans Ferry, PA at a later date to be announced.

              In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, a favorite charity of Isabel’s.  Please make donations to the following St. Jude’s website:

St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital

Or donations can be made by mail through this St Jude’s link with a printable form to fill out :Printable Form St. Jude's