Longtime Durham nurse leaves legacy of care, teaching and church service
Isabella Fortier, a registered nurse who spent much of her career in Durham operating rooms and later at Duke Regional Hospital, is being remembered by colleagues, church members and family for her devotion to patient care and to mentoring younger nurses. Fortier, who retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2010 and concluded her career at Duke Regional Hospital in 2023, died earlier this year. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Sylvan United Methodist Church in Durham.
Born Jan. 20, 1951, in Lombard, Illinois, Fortier trained at Augustana Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1973. She moved to North Carolina in the late 1970s with her parents and later joined the VA in Durham, where she worked in the operating room for many years. According to her obituary, she built lasting relationships with patients and colleagues and took pride in teaching new nurses who began their careers under her guidance.
- Career: Augustana School of Nursing graduate; long service at Durham VA; later employed at Duke Regional Hospital until 2023.
- Church and volunteer work: Active member of Mt. Sylvan United Methodist Church; volunteer with children's ministry, Sunday School teacher, nursery volunteer and participant in mission trips.
- Family: Survived by two daughters, a brother, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren and a beloved granddog.
Church members recall Fortier's presence in youth programs and community events. She volunteered extensively in Mt. Sylvan UMC’s children's ministry, where she was known for bringing food to youth events and mission activities. Those activities included preparing snacks and meals for Wednesday programs, mission trips and church festivals.
"Go Duke!"
That cheer typified another side of Fortier: a devoted fan of Duke University basketball. The obituary notes she delighted in watching games and sharing her enthusiasm with family and friends, and that she would loudly urge Duke when meeting rival players or coaches in public.
Impact on health care colleagues and trainees
Fortier’s professional path in Durham placed her in two institutions at the center of local health care: the VA and Duke Regional Hospital. During her years at the VA, she worked in the operating room and later returned to bedside care and mentoring roles at Duke Regional after retiring from the VA in 2010. The obituary emphasizes that training new nurses and caring for patients were among her greatest joys.
Her approach to nursing—focused on teaching, patient comfort and practical skill—reflects a broader pattern in Durham’s health care community, where experienced clinicians serve as in-house educators. Colleagues and trainees often remember such mentors for both technical instruction and the personal encouragement they provided during long shifts and complex cases.
Community presence beyond the hospital
Outside her professional life, Fortier was active in church circles and community events. She participated in Mt. Sylvan’s Faye Watkins Circle and helped prepare crafts and food for the church’s annual fall festival. She was particularly noted for her chocolate chip cookies and for preparing meals for children and youth.
Her family said she loved the beach and described the ocean as "a part of her soul," and she treasured family beach vacations. Survivors include daughters Lindsay Cantrell of Wilmington and Marissa Cantrell of Durham and Marissa’s children, Aleah, Riley and Osiris; a brother, David Fortier and his wife; nieces and nephews; and a cherished granddog, Otis, who kept her company during her final days at Hock Family Pavilion.
| Key dates | Details |
|---|---|
| Jan. 20, 1951 | Born in Lombard, Illinois |
| 1973 | Graduated Augustana Hospital School of Nursing |
| 2010 | Retired from Durham VA |
| 2023 | Ended career at Duke Regional Hospital |
| Aug. 22, 2026 | Memorial service at Mt. Sylvan UMC, 11 a.m. |
Isabella Fortier’s life illustrates the intersections between professional care, faith-based volunteering and family life that shape many community caregivers in Durham. Her obituary highlights decades of service inside operating rooms and hospitals as well as a deep commitment to children’s ministry, church fellowship and family traditions. The scheduled memorial at Mt. Sylvan United Methodist Church will provide an opportunity for residents, colleagues and parishioners to honor her contributions to local health care and community life.
