FRANCES DEE GROSSMAN ISAACSON, 101, died peacefully on Sunday, January 5, 2020. Frances was born on February 25, 1918 in Corpus Christi, Texas to Mollie and Henry Grossman. She lived an amazingly healthy and happy life and was considered a real" Southern Belle" by many. She was a charming woman with a happy disposition and smile that coordinated with her twinkling eyes.
Frances enjoyed growing up in Corpus Christi, Texas where she lived on Clifford Street. Their home was on a tremendous corner lot with lots of trees. She would climb up to the top of a very a large China berry tree with lilac flowers and proclaim she was on top of the world. Her attitude pretty much stayed with those lofty aspiring feelings all her life.
She attended religious school at Temple Beth El there and was in the first Confirmation class in 1934. She adored her brother Joe Grossman and as a teenager and young adult turned to him for advice and close friendship especially as they aged. She was very close to her sister Jean Enoch and they talked all the time on the phone since Jean lived in San Diego, California. Jean and mom could talk for hours at length and it was usually friendly gossip about family, friends and relatives. Together they were the Daily Gazette of our large family.
Frances graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Anthropology. She was accepted at Tulane University to do her masters. She was hired by the State of Texas in Corpus to do case work. Later, when she was married she assisted her husband at Isaacson Chain & Belting Engineering Company doing accounting work. She was as smart of a business woman as she was a housewife and mother. She raised two children, entertained, worked, and was a constant ball of energy.
She met her husband, Lawrence Isaacson in Corpus Christi when he was stationed at the Corpus Christi Naval station. He was the love of her life and they were married February 1, 1942. She had celebrated 62 years of marriage. Lawrence and Frances were blessed to have had many wonderful, caring, supportive, and deeply loved friends over 35 years and longer. These include Ida Belle and Phil Frank, Shirley and Leonard Glickman, the Gellers, the Rosenblums, Jenny and JP Radoffs, Ruth and Jake Axelrad, the Joe Franks, Harold and Sarah Lees and all the Grossman family.
Frances and her husband traveled all the time. Together they saw Ireland, England, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Israel, Canada, Hawaii, Austria, Germany, Budapest, Hungary, Poland, France, Germany and Austria and all of the United States. She was a good traveler and anticipated each new exploration with such zest and joy. She would organize her wardrobe for her travels at least a month prior to the trip.
She was very stylish and loved to shop for quality. It helped that she had a petite figure and could wear any style. She usually chose a smart classic style suit with a beautiful silk blouse. She had blond hair and blue eyes. She was always admired for how she coordinated her look from head to toe. She loved the color purple and blue and on any day you might find her in one of those colors.
Frances was creative and loved to give themed parties for her friends. She loved to garden and many days, you could find her in her back patio tending to her rose bushes, She loved to cook, play maj jongg, bridge, and gin rummy. She was a member of Congregation Emanu El for over 65 years and was in Hadassah.
When Frances and Lawry built a home they had an architect Adrian Flake design it on a lot in Braes Heights where they lived for over 40 years. It was a very contemporary style. Their home showcased Frances’s immaculate style and attention for design and detail. She even had a bookshelf built in to accommodate her Boehm and Royal Dalton figurines, They had a wrap-around bar and open concept way before anyone else. She chose her art with a discriminating taste. Her style was to do everything perfectly the way she perceived it to be.
She was always remembering family members birthdays and special occasions. She was so special and loved by her daughter Gail Sager and her husband David. She loved to go out for dinner with them to Pappadeaux and Brennans for her favorite crab cakes. She enjoyed going to Galveston for a breath of fresh air and change of scenery. She will be dearly remembered with love by them.
She adored her grandchildren and their spouses. They are Kevin and Amy Sager, Brian and Theresa Mayper, Britt Sager, and Kimberly and Preston Pehrson. Also, Randy Langston, his wife and children and Bradley Langston and his children.
Her great grandchildren were numerous and overjoyed whenever they visited her. She loved Harrison, Gavin and Baron Sager, Myka and Mia Mayper and Austin Pehrson . She also had a great grand puppy Lilac and a great grand dog, Penny Lane.
She has a son Paul Langson and his predeceased wife Judy Fisherman Langston.
Frances moved to Brookdale Independent Living six years ago. She flourished there with maj, bingo, marvelous social activities and all her birthday luncheon celebrations. She appreciated everything they did to make her happy in her later years.
Much appreciation goes out to her loving and responsible caregivers who were a close knit family group and friends who always put mom’s welfare and happiness as a top priority. Thank you Sandra Curtis, Nakia Derrow, LaTracia Hoover, Mildred Scott, Nina Jenkins, Patrice Kirksey, Rian Williams, Patricia Ervin, Relia Scott, Peaches Akeredolu and Gloria Akeredolu.
Frances lived a long and full 101 plus years. Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife to Lawrence Isaacson, and friend to many.
She is irreplaceable- we love her and will miss her.
Donations in the memory of Frances may be made to Congregation Emanu El’s Clergy Good Works Fund at emanuelhouston.org or 713-529-5771.
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