On October 8, 1941, in Houston, Texas, Mannis Dorian & Annie Cormier Dorian were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Isabella Rose Dorian. She was raised in the Catholic faith – first as a member of St. Anne De Beaupre Catholic Church. She was often called “Belle” or “Isabelle” and grew in faith and with love for the Lord.
Isabella was always passionate about her education and fiercely loved family. In her early years, she loved spending a great deal of time in Carencro, Louisiana with her maternal grandmother, Louise Andrus Cormier, who taught her the importance of family. Her parents were hardworking and at an early age instilled in her a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility to help others.
She joined St. Monica Catholic Church in 1960, which remained her church home and extended family until her passing. She eventually became a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of St. Peter Claver, Ct. 151, and served in various other roles at St. Monica for decades.
Isabella attended Carver High School in Houston, Texas, and enjoyed a number of hobbies, including her love for sewing. Her pursuit of academic excellence led to her become the first member of her family to pursue higher education. While at Texas Southern University, Isabella met the man whom would later become her husband, Eugene Edwards. They briefly dated while in school, however Isabella’s focus on her studies and desire to be a serious student led her to take a pass on Eugene, whom she thought to be a gregarious prankster. As God would have it, their paths would later cross once she completed her studies. Isabella transferred to and graduated from the University of Texas – Medical Branch in Galveston (“UTMB”) with a Bachelor of Science (“B.S.”) in physical therapy. Isabella was one of the first Black graduates to earn a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy from UTMB.
Upon beginning her fifty-year plus journey as a physical therapist, her uncle and Godfather, Louis Dorian (co-owner of C&L Shoe Shop on Lyons Ave. in Fifth Ward) encouraged her to become a beacon of light and example to others by investing her talents in the Fifth Ward community to serve those in need of medical care. She made the deliberate choice to give back and began working at St. Elizabeth Hospital as a physical therapist until it closed in 1989. Isabella absolutely loved being a physical therapist because it allowed her to transform and impact the lives of people every day. She successfully helped patients transition from grim prognoses to surpassing outcomes they never imagined possible. Under her care, patients learned how to walk again and often credited her with “saving” their lives. In addition to the remarkable results she helped her patients achieve, Isabella was just as well-known for her beautiful smile and infectious spirit. Isabella emanated such joy because she walked in her purpose to serve others daily.
While at the pharmacy picking up a prescription for her father, Isabella reunited with her once college suitor, Eugene Edwards, who had become a pharmacist. They went on to marry in 1976 and raised two daughters – Valerie and Amanda. Isabella’s priorities were God, family, hard work, education and service to others, and she instilled these values in her children. Just as much as she wanted her children to pursue academic excellence, she supported them in pursuing their boldest dreams. From showing up at every basketball or volleyball game to reading scripts and listening to speeches, Isabella’s love for her two daughters was exceptional. She was very supportive of their academic pursuits. Her children received degrees from Texas A&M, New York University, Emory University and Harvard Law School. They pursued career paths in television and filmmaking, as well as law and public service, which were a source of extreme pride for Isabella.
What finally convinced Isabella to retire from her passion of physical therapy was the birth of her only grandchild, Dylan Rose. Isabella relished in spending every waking moment with Dylan and she easily became the light of her life. They bonded over Peppa Pig, sampling desserts and traveling the world together. In fact, the two interacted more like best friends and even after Isabella’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2019, Dylan Rose sought to comfort her grandmother through endless jokes and impromptu performances just to put a smile on her face every day.
Isabella exuded a graceful strength, humility, compassion and love for God, family and others in need. She had the uncanny ability to inspire not by loud words, but by her deeds and example. She did not beat drums loudly; she simply loved others in the way God intends. Her smile lit up any room and her kindness and her compassion for others were all striking examples of God’s love.
Isabella entered eternal rest on September 15, 2021. Isabella was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eugene, who passed away in 1999 after a courageous battle with cancer. Isabella was also preceded in death by her parents, Mannis and Annie Cormier Dorian; her brother, Russell Dorian; and her nephew, Reginald Mason.
Isabella leaves behind to treasure her memory, life and impact, her daughters, Valerie Edwards and Amanda Edwards; her granddaughter, Dylan Rose Beavers; her niece, Shandra Mason; her great-niece; her great-nephew; her brother-in-law and a host of cousins, relatives and friends.
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