Isabelle W.Detje (nee Walsh) died peacefully in her sleep at Danbury Hospital on January 18, 2021. Iz was born on January 18, 1944, to Dr.Edward A.Walsh and Dorothy Walsh (nee O’Meara) in Woodhaven, New York. She was married to Deacon Anthony J.Detje on July 2, 1966, and they have two children Paula A.Yeary of Knoxville, TN, and Force Master Chief Chris D.Detje of Atoka, TN. Paula is married to David Yeary and they have one child, Connor. Chris is married to Dawn Detje (nee Giammarino) and they have two children, Lindsey, and Emily. Isabelle has a sister, Agnes Kalemaris(husband Stanley) of Melville, NY, to whom she was very close; another sister, Ann Lambrecht of Sevierville, TN; a brother, James Walsh of Woodhaven, NY.
Isabelle graduated from St.Thomas Apostle Grammar School, Woodhaven, NY; The Mary Louis Academy, Jamaica, NY; Marymount Manhattan College, New York City, NY (Degree in Math and Physics); Western Connecticut State University, (Masters Degree in Math). She taught at Bishop Reilly High School, Fresh Meadows, NY (Science); she was Director of Religious Education at St.Gregory Parish, Danbury; Notre Dame High School, Fairfield (Math and Science); Immaculate High School, Danbury (Math); New Fairfield Middle School and High School (Math); Western Connecticut State University, Danbury (Adjunct in Math). She also tutored an innumerable number of people in Math, Physics, Chemistry, SAT Prep, ACT Prep, LSAT Prep, GRE Prep, PRAXIS Prep, Service Academies entrance Exam Prep.
Isabelle thoroughly enjoyed teaching and was always overjoyed when one of her students succeeded. Her students not only appreciated her but also loved her because many have kept in touch with her over the years.
Being the wife of a Deacon in the Catholic Church is not always easy. Isabelle said that the correct approach was to be always active and supportive but not intrusive or overbearing. She was respected and loved in the Diaconate Community and the Diocese of Bridgeport.
She always looked forward to vacations at Lake St.Catherine in Vermont or Newport, R.I. She was an avid reader and thought that the best thing to do on vacation was to sit back, read a good book, and listen to great music. Before Covid-19 restrictions, she also looked forward to her Saturday morning breakfast “dates” at JK’s, with her husband.
Isabelle was a loving and supportive wife, a good mother, a good cook, a great teacher, and a very caring person. She had a quick wit and an “Irish acid tongue”. Her husband, Tony, added:” I am a better person because of Isabelle. Our fifty-four years together, although far too short, were a gift from God.”
There will be no calling hours. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, funeral arrangements will be for the family and invitation only. There will be a memorial mass sometime in the future when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
Please make contributions to Yale-New Haven Hospital Kidney Transplant Center in Isabelle’s name.
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