I send my sincere condolences during this very difficult time. May you all find comfort from the words found at 1 Thessalonians 4:14.

Yutka, you will always be a light in my heart and my memories.

My mother, Suzanne Weisz Claugus, was also a resident of, and I believe, an older classmate of Ms. Isaacson in Kaposvar, Hungary. They connected and corresponded a bit after the publication of Seed of Sarah. Ms Isacson was a remarkable person. If not an imposition, I would welcome correspondence from the Isaacson family.  My mother's route to the USA was easier due to the prescience of an uncle who brought her to the United States on a student visa along with her grandmother. Other members of the family perished, but my mother was reunited with my grandmother, who had survived, in 1954.  Please accept my sincere condolences.
Very truly yours, Mary E. Claugus (maryclaugus@att.net).

My highest respects to a woman and her family!  Sincerely, Susan W. Longley

To the Isaacson family,
Dean Isaacson changed my life. Her presence as a survivor of the Holocaust, and the bond with her mother, made an example of such joy and love and triumph that I have studied and written about topics relating to human rights in many aspects, from women's rights to LGBT rights to religious freedom. My favorite gift to give teenagers (not that only teenagers should read her book) is Seed of Sarah paired with the Diary of Anne Frank, because then the teenager reads the story of Anne, who doesn't survive (what could have been...), but reads Judith, who does (look what happened!!).

In memory of an incredibly vibrant woman, a beautiful flower that blossomed for so many people she touched.  Inspite of the dark, evil horrors she experienced as a young woman, she led a life of integrity, joy, and love for everyone she met.  I will always be grateful for the opportunity I had to spend time with her in the garden.  I have always considered her book one of my favorite about keeping the faith. I am happy that I could call her my friend.

Dear Irving,
My condolences to you and your family.  You married and were the partner of extraordinary woman. As I read her obituary she truly lead a life of tragedy and triumph.  May we all learn from here life well lived.  
God Bless,
Allan Brown

Dean Isaacson was an inspiration to us all at Bates, but I don't think any of us realized what she had endured, until I read her book many years ago.  What an amazing woman and what a gift to the students of Bates she was.  I did not know that she had been newly appointed when I was there, but she made an indelible impression on all of us.  Vicki Tripp Gordan

What an extraordinary life, and such a beautifully composed woman and intellect.
Whoever wrote the obituary tribute did a wonderful piece of writing to capture
so much of God's gift of her to this world
and to her family and descendants -- the seed of Sarah. I am in tears of emotion to read it and think about it.

Dear Isaacsons,
My heart is with you.  I am so honored to have know Judith- first at Bates, where she did look out for me, perhaps because I too am an Isaacson- though we never proved that we were related.  I have such fond memories of reconnecting in the 90's during my summers in Maine with my family.  We had fantastic fun snow shoeing up to the cabin in Hartford, we too have a place in Hartford.  Our young kids on cross country skis and us 4 adults on snow shoes.  Judith told us their peers weren't as hearty so they were glad to go with us.  Once inside Irving took out some cognac from the oven.  We ate, played chess etc.  I'm so glad to have known her and my deepest sympathies are with you.  Fondly, carol isaacson (barash)

An extraordinary very beautiful woman who affected the lives of all who knew her.  She will live on and continue to inspire through her family, friends and all the people whose lives she touched.

As her deeply devoted husband shared with me, he said, "she made it easy for me to love her".  Her love of life and family left me wanting to know more about her.... I am blessed... even though my time with her was brief, it was so special.

Dear Isaacson Family,
Heartfelt sympathy to all of you on the loss of Jutka. Such a gracious, eloquent, beautiful and brilliant woman who led a big life -- and was so proud of all of you.  I so admired her during those years when we were neighbors and friends on Goodrich Heights. Later, though she may not have known it,  Jutka enriched my teaching when I used Seed of Sarah for several years in a course on the Holocaust I developed with a history teacher at Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham,MA. Jutka's story touched students deeply. And Jutka's memory will always be dear to me.  Thinking of your whole family at this very sad time.
Susan Bean Kline

On behalf of my whole family, I want to thank you for taking the time to post your memories of my mother. I'm reading them here, sitting in my parents' apartment, filled with thoughts of my mother, You have captured her essence. She was a noble spirit full of love for her family and empathy and generosity for everyone she got to know.
Thank you !

Although  my time with her was "very" brief..being one of her caregivers once she got back home to her "hubby"..I can honestly say she is a strong memory for everyone that was involved in her life...although the smiles were few and far between for this poor lady...because of her sleeping we managed to get some from her., And her loving husband was an icon in his own way. True love is admirable and that was a case of that for sure. Strong bonds...sleep in peace Judith....

Judith was an incredible lady with a warm smile that immediately brightened your day. She was an inspiration to so many people, and this inspiration will continue to live on through the lives of everyone she touched. I feel truly blessed to have known you Judith.

Judy was my mentor as well as my math teacher at Lewiston High School for two years.  Had she not taught me calculus, I would have had a far more difficult time at the Naval Academy.  She was an incredible human being and took an interest in all of her students.  My deepest condolences to my friend Ilona and the rest of Judy's family.

"Mrs. I" was my high school math teacher, but she meant so much more. She exuded a unique blend of great strength and great kindness. She was the most influential and memorable person I encountered as an adolescent. She arranged for me and others to audit math classes at Bates, and encouraged us to embrace math as she embraced life. She patiently talked about her life and experiences with those of us ignorant of history. All who knew her were better for that, and the world is lessened by her loss.

Judith's husband and my Mother, Marcia Michelson Bickoff, were cousins. I met Judith when she spoke at Temple Emmanuel in Newton, MA, many years ago. Her subject was "Seed of Sarah", a book she wrote about her experiences during the Shoah.
She was a charming and delightful person who made a great impression on everyone.

Judith was a wonderful person.  I knew her through serving on the Boards at Bowdoin and she was bright, kind, and thoughtful.  A really wonderful lady.  Libby Woodcock

Dear Isaacson Family,
I had your mother for calculus the first year she taught. She was a wonderful teacher and human being.

I also visited her at Bates when she became Dean of Students. She had her secretary usher me right in without an appointment and we had a wonderful visit.

I have followed her career through news articles for the last 40 years and have been very impressed with all her accomplishments. You were very lucky to have her as a wife and mother.

May she rest in peace.

Dear Isaacson Family,
I first met this remarkable woman at the HHRC Summer Institute at Bates in 1991.  I remember listening to her every word as she spoke so tellingly about her family's experience in the Holocaust.  I later was able to arrange for her to address over 900 student and teachers in Aroostook County.  It was one the greatest of teaching moments that I have every known in my 37 years as and educator.  No one in that audience could every forget her story.  May God Bless and Keep you all!

With Love,
Kenneth W. Atcheson
Instructor of Social Studies
Caribou High School

Mrs.Isaacson was a wonderful neighbor living behind us for over 40 years.  She will always be remembered as a beautiful lady who had a smile for everyone.

I had the honor to meet Judith many years ago, when she gave a presentation at UMA. I had the opportunity to spend some time with her after the presentation. What a lovely, amazingly strong woman she was. I will treasure that conversation. My heart goes out to the family of Judith. She will be missed by more people than you could ever imagine.

Dean Isaacson had a clarity and an insistence on the dignity of students that was an essential part of being a Bates student in the 1960's and 1970's. She demanded much of us and of herself no less; she was a magnificent leader who made time for each who sought her out; and reached out to others who came into themselves under her kind appreciation. Many of us, of many faiths and on different paths, are proud to be Seeds of Sarah through her spirit which lives on. Heartfelt condolences to her family and close friends. Her memory is a blessing as she was in life.

I was blessed while a student at Bates in the early 70's to be taken under the wing of Dean Isaacson.  I learned many lessons from her that have helped my success in working with students as a university administrator. She is high on my list of mentors who permanently influenced my life.  Definitely one of God's gifts.

To Irving, Ilona, John, and Mark and the extended family. Our condolences on the passing of Judy.Sorry we will be unable to attend the funeral services.

Everyone who knew her can attest to the fact that she was a very special person whose spirit will be kept alive in the memories of all who knew her. The world is a better place for her having passed this way.

Lou and Paula Scolnik

I came to know Judke through her activities with the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine.  What an impressive, lively, and generous person she was; always willing to share her experience as a Survivor with educators in Maine, a kind yet strong person, with a delightful, and ready, smile. May her memory be a blessing to all of us.

May you be strengthened as you grieve a courageous human by the promise God made in the  Scriptures at Jeremiah 29 : 11,12.

When I was a teenager, growing up in Kennebunkport, I first became aware od the Holocaust. There was a youth "Coffee House" at the Unitarian church in Kennebunk where I listened to a survivor describe her horrifc experience. I vividly recall her showing her number, tattoed on her forearm. I have read many books about the unspeakable tragedy that was the Holocaust. After reading "Seed of Sarah" I insisted that my children read it. I am humbled by Judith's contributions to understanding the darkness that swirls around humankind. Please accept my sincere condolences.

Isaacson Family, first met John when  Advance Auto d/b/a Lee Cars purchased property in Saco from my clients in my Office, had known Shep, another  pillar in Maine, as members at The Racquet and Fitness Club. Mrs. Isaacson, what a fascinating woman, a great matriarch, wish everyone, when they struggle with peaks and valleys, would read Mrs. Isaacson's Obituary, her life experiences set an example for all of us!    Dick Cervizzi

What an extraordinary woman Judith was. I had the pleasure of meeting her several years ago and have a signed copy of Seed of Sarah. Her story is an amazing testament of the human spirit...The world is better for her having graced it.

OBITUARY

Judith M. Isaacson

July 3, 1925 – November 10, 2015

The Fortin & Pinette Group, Dillingham, Lynch, Plummer & Merrill

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