Barbara M. Isaacson

Barbara Isaacson Wenatchee, WA On Saturday, June 2, 2018, mere weeks after her 90th birthday celebration. Barbara Isaacson refreshed her lipstick and nail polish, relinquished her car keys, and reached beyond the confines of her extended earthly ailments to encounter life anew. Barbara May Oatey was born in Wenatchee, WA, on April 18, 1928, to Jonathan Howard and Nettie May (Monnette) Oatey, the youngest of six children. In response to a letter from a friend promising great apple growing land to homestead, the Oatey clan moved west from Pennsylvania in the 1920's, settling to farm in Orondo, WA, where Barb completed her early schooling. When she was 15, her older brothers took over management of the farm after their father suffered serious injuries in an automobile accident. Barb was legally pressed into service as her mother's driver, perhaps the origin of a can-do attitude that extended well beyond her life on the farm. Barb graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1946, and in 1947, met and married A. Gordon Isaacson, a young Marine newly returned home from military service in the Pacific. Without undue delay, the couple welcomes twin boys: Glenn Howard and Steven Arthur, in 1948. The family expanded again in 1950, with the addition of Gary Gordon, in 1953, with the arrival of Michael Dean, and in 1955, with the birth of Scott Paul. With some education in architecture, Gordy worked with his father as a builder, contractor, and developer, as well as in production of doors and windows. He was also a lover of music and both he and Barb were active early on in local Hospital Guild Follies productions. Barb was raised in the Wenatchee Presbyterian Church, where she continued to attend, then attended services in later years at the Wenatchee Free Methodist Church. When the boys all reached school age, Barb added employment outside the home to her already full schedule, working first as part of the office staff at Gwinn, White and Prince, and then, as a longtime office manager at Chamberlain Distributing. As the boys moved through school, the Isaacson household became the hub of constant activity. Although Barb never knew how many to expect for dinner, she cheerfully welcomed one and all. In addition to the meal she had planned, she often relied on her short-order skills to see that everyone got something to eat. Visitors at mealtimes seemed to take as much nourishment from Barb and the energy of big family camaraderie as from the food. While she offered an ample showing of love and support for her children as individuals, Barb was also quick to define for them the lines between right and wrong. They were lessons she would repeat as each new generation came within her purview. As often as she was the support system, backbone, anchor, and cheerleader for her own family, she was also all those things to many of her children's friends as well. Her inclusive efforts resulted in valued friendships that spanned decades and were treasured for a lifetime. As her sons married and had children of their own, Barb developed the same one-on-one relationships with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each of whom believes to this day that he or she is the favorite. As the cousin clan grew, they came from far and wide during the summers to Grandma's Lake - Lake Chelan - where kids of all ages would appear and Grandma Barb would hold court. (The count for this year's gathering is 43). In her retirement, Barb found opportunity to pursue some personal interests: gardening, baseball, bridge, cribbage, and service to others. Although she had limited success eradicating lawn clover everywhere, she did keep careful track of many Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners playing seasons. She also trained and snagged an ample supply of partners for card games, and found transporting cancer patients to and from treatment especially rewarding. Remaining to celebrate the life of this remarkable lady are Isaacson sons and spouses: Glenn (Kieran) of Wenatchee, WA, Steve of Bellevue, WA, Gary (Liz) of North Bend, WA, Mike (Anna) of Phoenix, AZ, and Scott of Wenatchee, WA; Barb's grandchildren and spouses or significant others include: Karyn (Matt) Dickman and Kevin (Christine) Isaacson, all of Cincinnati, OH, Kelly (Luther) Hubbard of Seattle, WA, Mike (Jody) Isaacson of Kirkland, WA, Corie (Ken) Murphy of Flagstaff, AZ, Natalie Isaacson of Seattle, WA, Jill (Glenn) Thayer of Wenatchee, WA, Kyle (Lahela) Isaacson of Portland, OR, and Katelyn (Ben) Watland of Meridian, ID; along with great-grandchildren: Maddie, James, and Annabel Dickman, Ayla and Easton Hubbard, Quinn and Eva Isaacson, Makenna and Kellen Murphy, Kaleb, Ryan, Spencer, and Anne Thayer, Lucy and Eleanor Isaacson, and Emma and Alekai Watland. Preceding Barb in death were her parents; as well as her siblings: Miriam Edwards, Ben Oatey, Martha Dow, Jack Oatey, and Paul Oatey. Gordon, Barb's husband of 50 years, passed away in 1997. The Isaacson family would like to thank Dr. Toby Long, Dr. Joseph Anzalone, and all the wonderful fifth floor staff at Confluence Health, especially PA Mandi, and RN's, Julie and Kaitlin, for their wise and tender care during Barb's final hospital stay. Interment will be held Friday, June 8, 2018, at 2:00 p.m., at the Wenatchee City Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life, at 3:00 p.m., at the Numerica Performance Center (Wenatchee Ave. entrance). In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Barb's name to Our House (lodging and assistance to our out of town cancer patients), 1708 Castlerock Ave., Wenatchee, WA, or to Numerica Performing Arts Center, 123 N. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee, WA, 98801. Jones & Jones-Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee, WA, is entrusted with arrangements.

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Barbara M. Isaacson

April 18, 1928 - June 2, 2018