Isobel Delcher

DELCHER, Isobel McCord, 93, passed away at her home August 3, 2006, surroundedby the love of her family. Isobel was a member of a pioneer family that came to Tampa in 1840. She was the fourth of five sisters born to Edna Faraba Kendrick and Cecil A. McCord. She and her sisters operated the McCord Dance Studio in Tampa. Isobel was a member of the first graduation class of H.B. Plant High School, where she lettered in five sports. At age 19, she married Robert Albert "Bob" Delcher, and they raised three sons while running the Delcher Family grocery store in Tampa. When her husband passed away in 1960, Isobel remained active in business and community service projects. Isobel was a member of Soroptimist International of Tampa for more than 40 years, and she enthusiastically worked to support local scholarships and projects to improve the lives of women and children. She was a past president of the Soroptimist club, and she was twice selected as their Soroptimist Woman of the Year. Isobel was the heart and soul of her family, and she liked nothing better than to gather them around her table for Sunday suppers. Isobel loved to fish at her beach home in Indian Rocks Beach. While she was a member of the Heights Garden Club, she developed a passion for growing orchids, and flowers bloomed in her garden year-round. Isobel is survived by her son, Cecil Delcher, and wife, Diana Miller, and her grandchildren, Dana and Louis, of Tampa; and her son, Dr. Harry Delcher of Atlanta, Ga., and grandchildren, Harry, Bobby and Vera. Isobel's son Bob Delcher passed away in California in 1990. His children, Ray Delcher and Susan Delcher Abbott, live in California. Isobel leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, August 7, 2006, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 906 S. Orleans Ave., Tampa. Internment will follow at Myrtle Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to Soroptimist International of Tampa, P.O. Box 271774, Tampa, FL 33688.