Alice Feder Isaacson

Alice Feder Isaacson, our quiet but impactful matriarch, passed away on May 7, 2025 after a long illness. She was 92. Alice devoted her life to her family, including her husband Henry Isaacson, who predeceased her, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and her lifetime passions—education, music and the arts.

Alice was born on December 15, 1932 in Cleveland, Ohio to Gertrude and Marcus Feder, Jr. She graduated from Goucher College in Maryland with a degree in music composition. While in college she met the love of her life and her North Star—Henry Isaacson of Greensboro, North Carolina. They were married in Cleveland in 1954 and began married life in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where Alice worked for the Chancellor of the University of North Carolina and Henry attended law school. They welcomed a son, Marc, and a daughter, Gail, while in Chapel Hill; consequently, both children are clearly Tar Heels born and bred.

They moved to Michigan when Henry entered the US Air Force JAG Corps, and welcomed a third child, Carol. The family relocated to Henry’s heaven on earth, Greensboro, after he completed his service commitment. Having attended Hathaway Brown School in Cleveland, Ohio, Alice valued a private independent school experience and saw the need for that educational experience in Greensboro. She was instrumental in bringing that type of school to fruition as a founder of Greensboro Day School. In addition to her passion for education, Alice was passionate about music and the arts. The music for the GDS Alma Mater was composed by Alice.

Alice served her community on many boards and activities. Though she never sought the limelight, she made her mark on most every aspect of the arts in Greensboro. She was active in music education and taught piano for many years. She served on boards for Greenhill Center for North Carolina Art, the Carolina Theatre, Greensboro Opera, Temple Emanuel Sisterhood and Music Committee, and the Greensboro Music Academy, to name a few.

Alice was a prominent part of the lives of her children and grandchildren. She was the backbone of the family, always a willing and non-judgmental listener. She made “family night” an important part of the Isaacson family’s Sunday night dinners for over 30 years, actively engaging in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Alice and Henry took each grandchild on a trip abroad to celebrate their b’nai mitzvah when they turned 13 years old. Before each trip, they made sure their grandchild was educated on the places they would visit including the history of the country as well as the culture, and of course each grandchild was provided broad exposure to the arts. Alice stayed close with all of her grandchildren throughout college and adulthood and continued to be the matriarch at each family holiday. She made sure every Thanksgiving included a musical tribute to some important patriotic or historical event, insisting all of the children sing along with her. The dinners are legendary—the kids’ secret phone recordings of those singalongs are priceless.

Alice is survived by her children, Marc Isaacson (Jill Wilson), Gail Bernstein (Steve), and Carol Basile; grandchildren, Sarah Castellano (Rob), Allie Isaacson (Arom Nadjmabadi), Robbie Bernstein (Kristin), Charlie Bernstein (Amanda), Katherine Kinney (Ben), Drew Basile (Melissa), Elle Basile, and Marco Basile. She is also survived by five great grandchildren, Charlie Castellano, Roya Nadjmabadi, George Bernstein, Lennon Bernstein and Gianna Basile. Her memory will always be a blessing to us.

There will be a private family service. Contributions in memory of Alice may be made to Greensboro Day School or Temple Emanuel.