Isabelle T Dorsey

She came to Brevard County in 1968 from West Richfield, Ohio and became the Founder and Director of Florida Aid to Animaals. She worked for Founder of United Humanitarians; the South Brevard Humane Society as the Director for 10 years; Founder/Director of Florida Aid to Animals.

Isabelle was predeceased by her husband Alfred Dorsey, and is survived by: Daughters Lisa Anne Alford (Dorsey), and Jamie Lynn Casanova (Dorsey), Grandson Ryan David Alford, Son in Law Kim David Alford. Niece Linda Hendricks (Ensinger), Niece Dorothy Smercina (Pazdernik), Betty Ann Tibbets (Drozdowski), Nephew Richard Drozdowski, Nephew Leon Drozdowski, and many other extended Family members.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1928 to Elmer E. Ensinger and Mary J. Marotta, Isabelle had one older brother Edward, who predeceased her. She lost her mother at the age of 7 to breast cancer. Raised by her father in Ohio, Isabelle was an excellent Roller Skater, and at the age of 18 was offered a position to skate professionally with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

After she married Alfred Dorsey, and later adopted their 2 daughters Lisa and Jamie, the family moved to Florida from Ohio in 1968.

Always having been an animal lover, Isabelle helped to start United Humanitarians, an organization that offered a low cost option for Spay/Neuter of dogs and cats in the 1970’s and was located in Rockledge. While it has since been taken over by others who have moved it to another location in Cocoa; United Humanitarians is still operating today. Isabelle afterwards ran the South Brevard Humane Society in Melbourne for 10 years as its Director. Eventually she decided to organize an animal clinic that could offer not only Low cost spay/neuter for cats and dogs, but also affordable basic care for them as well. The result was Florida Aid to Animals (FATA) which opened its doors in 1989. Through a lot of hard work and dedication, the clinic is still in existence today, and has grown to include a second location in Palm Bay. Isabelle considered FATA to be her proudest achievement. Thanks to Isabelle’s love of animals and dedication to helping them over many years, she leaves a legacy that will not be forgotten.

A Celebration of Isabelle Dorsey’s life will be held on July 16, 2017 at 2:00 pm at The Life Event Center at Florida Memorial Gardens 5950 South U.S. 1 Rockledge, FL 32955.