Isabelle Bean

Isabelle Bean (née Gater, formerly Edelfelt and John; 1862 – 1939) was a nurse, theosophist and feminist in Australia. She was prominent in the promotion and advocacy of theosophy and women's advancement.

Early life Isabelle Gater was born in 1862 at Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, daughter of William John Gater, ironmonger, and his wife Elizabeth, née Knight. She moved with him to New Guinea where, 'armed with her own revolver', she sometimes accompanied him on his travels, becoming known as 'an enterprising and courageous lady'. on a national lecture tour of the Commonwealth.

Isabelle continued her involvement with the society after John's death, working as secretary to ventures such as the International Order of the Round Table and the Order of the Star of the East. In 1922, she married John's successor, John Willoughby Butler Bean. When he resigned from the society in 1924, Isabelle continued in public life as vice-president of the Queensland Women's Non-Party Association, a body devoted to developing social welfare through political pressure. She was also a Theosophical Order of Service delegate to the National Council of Women.

Isabelle Bean died of hypertensive cerebro-vascular disease in 1939, aged 76 or 77, and was cremated with the rites of the Theosophical Society.