Margaret Strauss Israelson

Margaret Israelson, 92, died with her family by her side in the evening on Thursday, April 23, 2026. She is survived by her daughter, Dara; son-in-law, Alan; and granddaughters, Rachel, Jenna, and Sofie.

Margaret’s family wishes to thank the staff at Transitions LifeCare. Kate Bavin’s medical expertise and reassuring presence was most appreciated. Her family also thanks the staff at Lakepark Family Care Home. Caroline Nnanna, Annemarie, Evelyn, and Grace took such amazing care of Margaret during her last 11 months and for that we are so grateful.

Margaret was born on November 8, 1933 in Hanau, Germany. These were difficult times for her family because they were Jewish. In 1940, they fled to Uruguay, where they had no family, did not know the language, and took on a whole new life. This life experience taught Margaret to be independent, resilient, and adventurous.

She was a woman ahead of her time. Margaret insisted on going to college and got her degree in accounting. She established her own business. She traveled whenever she could. She took yoga and ballet classes. Margaret did not choose to get married until she was almost 35 years old and finally found the right person, Jehiel Israelson. But Jehiel was moving to Kalamazoo, Michigan for a new job so Margaret uprooted her life again. At 36 years old, she was most definitely an “older mother.” When her daughter was young, she insisted on a weekly “date night” with her husband, going to the symphony or out with friends. Before there were YouTube videos to instruct on any topic, Margaret took on all sorts of projects: refinishing kitchen cabinets, reupholstering chairs, and carving a watermelon into a fruit bowl for special occasions.

Friends and family, travel, and dogs were Margaret’s favorite things. Carrot cake was good too.

A Funeral Service will be held at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609, US, on April 26, 2026, at 10:30 am, with a Graveside Service Following the Service at Raleigh Hebrew Cemetery, 450 N State St, Raleigh, NC 27601, US, on April 26, 2026.