Isabel Pauline Tener

Isabel Tener, 99, who had a long and meaningful life, passed away on July 23rd. She was a devoted mother to her sons, Jay and Stan, grandmother to Maya and Forrest, caring sister-in-law to Phil, Shirley, and Joan, and a beloved wife to the late Gene.

Born in the Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland, Isabel graduated Glennville High School which is where she also met Gene. She went on to work as a secretary at Cleveland Electric Sign Company where she met her lifelong friend, May Roby.

Isabel loved to get out and travel, taking her family to the World’s Fair in New York in 1964, Euclid Beach, and places around Ohio.

She followed Gene into the family produce business and started a gourmet basket side business in 1958, which grew tremendously.

In the 1980’s Isabel started reporting on food shows for the Plain Dealer and local radio. She then made the leap to television working on CBS Channel 8. She did a food segment on the noon news for 12 years with Jan Jones. She cooked on TV, commented on new products and reviewed local restaurants. She, along with Ellen Rinaudo, compiled recipes from her show into pamphlets and distributed them locally.

At home, Isabel was a wonderful cook and kept a kosher home. She was active in the Park Synagogue Sisterhood, and Altrusa, an international women’s organization that raises money for Literacy efforts around the world.

Services took place on July 25th at Bet Olam Cemetery.

Arrangements were made under the supervision of Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel.