Fontella Maxine Mallory

Fontella passed October 16, 2021, at the tender age of 96 (8 days short of 97) in Nampa, Idaho.

On October 24, 1924, she entered the world, into the loving arms of her parents Parley Richard Powell and Luta Ashby Powell, in Albion, Idaho.  She was the eldest of seven children, and the adventures she had in Albion on her way to adulthood created memories that gave her joy for her entire long life.

Fontella graduated from Albion High School, Albion State Normal School and Boise State College.  She taught physical education in both Burley and Caldwell, Idaho.

After graduating from Albion High School in 1943, Fontella headed out on her great solo adventure.  Taking a Greyhound bus, Fontella said goodbye (for now) to Albion and hello to San Francisco.  Living with her Aunt Mai, Fontella did her part for the war effort processing invoices at a meat packing plant.  City adventure behind her, Fontella returned to her beloved hometown with more memories to cherish and stories to tell as she started college at Albion Normal School.

On August 17, 1947, Fontella married Nyle William Mallory.  They were married 67 years until his death, July 9, 2014.  They had four children; Richard Nyle Mallory (Darla) of Punta Gorda, Belize; Debra Herold (Daniel) of Boise, Idaho; Zonda Rider (Jim) of Orem, Utah and Shelly Anzuoni (John) of Boise, Idaho.

Fontella and Nyle’s lives were rich, and more than anywhere they loved the little cabin in the woods they built in Terrace Lakes Resort, Idaho.  It was the site and source of many happy memories involving family and friends.  They’d golf in the summer and snowmobile in the winter, and though she didn’t swim herself, Fontella spent many hours by the pool indulging her grandchildren.

Grandma Tella and Grandpa Nyle were the most supportive and loving grandparents a grandchild could ask for.  In addition to board games, card games and on-demand hugs, they missed very few baseball games, band recitals, soccer matches, swim meets or graduations.  Their love for their children and grandchildren was as solid as a rock and their home on Easy Street was always open.  Their love for their family led them on adventures in their later years to places as far away as Chicago, Washington D.C. and Belize.

Fontella was preceded in death by her husband Nyle; parents Parley and Luta; brother Devon Powell; and sisters Zelda Sater, Bonita Spiers and Margaret Tracy.  She is survived by a brother, John kay Powell, and a sister Carol Fairchild, four children, six grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren and a very dear friend Beth Mallory.

Fontella smiled easily and retained her charm, her wit and her positive attitude through her final days.   We are grateful to have known such an amazing woman who loved each one of us unconditionally and with her whole heart.  Her family wants to give a special thank you to Olena Rotar and Keystone Hospice for making her last days comfortable.