Elizabeth Isensee

Elizabeth (Betty) Margaret McGettigan Isensee passed from earthly to heavenly life on March 27, 2014 at the age of 92. She joined her beloved husband ("the love of my life") Clarence T. Isensee who preceded her on March 13, 1985. She also joined her immigrant Irish parents Manus & Mary McGettigan, her brother Manus McGettigan MD and his children Manus, Carmella and Brian, and her sister Marie McMaster RN (all of Philadelphia PA), and her grandchildren Heather Isensee and Sean Isensee, and her German parents-in-law Harry & Laura Isensee (of Karnes City, TX). Betty is survived by her nine children and their spouses and offspring: Harry II & Verena (Bridie Chaudoir & husband Andrew and Henry; Laura, Mary, Harry III, Elizabeth (Biffy) and Teresa) ; Manus & Anne-marie; Mary Ann & Bill Loweth (Justin & wife Audrey and Charlotte and Bannon; Blake, Devon, and Will & wife Sarah ); Ted (Clarence T Jr) & Debbie (Austin & fiancée Amanda); Dr. Laura Marie (Betty's constant companion and care-supervisor for 12 years); Mark & Lynda (Berry and Bradley); James & Dayna of Austin TX (Ava and Ramon); Elizabeth & Chris Allen of St Louis MO (Sarah, Claire and Matthew); and Joan & Dr. Dave Koltz of Madison MS (Andrew, Logan and Audrey). Betty is also survived by numerous Isensee & McGettigan nieces & nephews. As the chaperone of young ladies from Philadelphia who came to dance with Army officers at Fort Dix, NJ during WWII, Betty met Captain Isensee at a dance in the summer of 1942 before he shipped off to Europe and they quickly fell in love. Betty also volunteered in other wartime ways, including picking peaches in Georgia. They married December 22, 1945 in Philadelphia, three days after he returned from the war as Major Isensee. They shared many joys and some sorrows for 39 years before his unexpected death (after retiring as a partner of Ernst & Young CPAs). Mother had an indomitable spirit, a quick wit, a tactful but direct candor in expressing her thoughts, and a gracious warmth in hosting family and old & new friends. She had sincere concern, great compassion and generosity for those less fortunate, putting her faith into practice as an example to children and grandchildren. She welcomed college friends of her children for holidays and also took in several high school & college students from Mexico and Peru while they studied in Houston, and they became new family members. Her "Mexican family" includes the families of Yoya Freyssinier and Licha de Diaz Perches. Betty was a distinguished graduate of John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School (Class of 1939) in Philadelphia, a founding member of St Cecilia Catholic Church and enthusiastic member of its music ministry for many years, an emeritus member of the Charity Guild of Catholic Women, and a Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Betty's family is deeply grateful to her faithful personal caregivers for their kindnesses-especially Maria, Sheryl, Olu and Remy. Staff and other caregivers at the Plaza/Buckingham have noted how grateful and friendly she was to them. Visitation will be at Earthman Hunter's Creek Funeral Home on Sunday, April 13, 2014 from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm, with personal remembrances at 5:30 pm and wake/rosary service at 6:00 pm. The funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Drew Wood at St. Cecilia Church at 11740 Joan of Arc on Monday, April 14, 2014 at 10:30 am (with reception following). Pallbearers will be Betty's grandsons and honorary pallbearers include Johnny Ackerman, Dr. John Lancaster, Dr. George Quirk and Alfredo Freyssinier. Burial will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery at 13001 Katy Freeway. In lieu of flowers, Betty would prefer contributions be made to the Charity Guild of Catholic Women (which supports San Jose Clinic), Duchesne Academy (for the C T Isensee Memorial Library Collection), or Strake Jesuit College Preparatory.