Beth Wright Bloch Isaacson Rosenthal

Beth Wright Bloch Isaacson Rosenthal passed away at her home on December 28th, 2018. She was born on September 9, 1926 to Louis and Sadie Kreinik Wright. She grew up in Eunice, Louisiana, one of 6 children. During her high school years she was introduced by family friends to her first husband, Ted Bloch, who at the time was a student at Tulane University. After graduating from high school she attended and graduated from Newcomb College with a degree in psychology and shortly after graduation married Ted Bloch who had just graduated from Tulane Medical School, They spent their first married years while Ted served in the Army in San Antonio, Texas and Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, ultimately settling in New Orleans. In 1950, daughter Ann was born and in 1962, a son, Ted III.

Beth was active in community affairs, including The League of Women Voters, the United Way, and UNICEF, and served in many capacities with, and in the late sixties as President, of the National Council of Jewish Women, New Orleans Chapter. For her work with NCJW she was recognized by the Times Picayune as one of the “Beautiful Activists”, a high honor bestowed upon selected community volunteers. She also helped establish the Louis Wright Memorial Dialysis Unit at Touro Infirmary, named in honor of her late father and served on the board of the Isidore Newman School Parents Association. After her husband’s untimely death in 1975, working with Dr. Norman McSwain, she became instrumental in developing sorely needed EMS services in the city.

In 1981 she married Herschel Isaacson of Atlanta where she lived for the next 20 years. With her marriage to Herschel she joined his family of four children, Bobby, Keith, DG and Nancy, eventually becoming grandmother to their children. Upon moving to this new community, she immediately made new friends and immersed herself in the many cultural activities that Atlanta had to offer. She loved the symphony concerts, and the Art Museum. She joined the Atlanta chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women and took part in the many social services the organization championed.

After Herschel’s death in 1995, she remained in Atlanta until marrying Dr. J. William Rosenthal in 2000, at which point she moved back to New Orleans where she resided until the time of her death. While married to Bill, they traveled the world together. Other than family, travel was her greatest passion. Never one to sit at home and do nothing, Beth loved being with people and being active. Her biggest regret in her final years was that it became too difficult to travel or get out for any length of time.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, her siblings Morris Wright, Sidney Wright, Sophie Kerstein, Sylvia Stern and Lillian Levin, and spouses Dr. Ted Bloch, Dr. Herschel Isaacson and Dr. J. William Rosenthal.

She is survived by her children, Ann Bloch Kern (Stephen), and Dr. Ted Bloch III (Suzie); Robert Isaacson (Nancy), Dr. Keith Isaacson, D. G. Isaacson Klingensmith (Bob), Nancy Isaacson Gunter (Brian); grandchildren Michelle Kern Sisco (Ken), Scott Stephen Kern (Trisha), Allison Isaacson Lipsman (Andrew), Cory Isaacson (Avi Zinn), Lissy Isaacson, Tilly Rose Isaacson, Leigh Isaacson, Casey Isaacson, Dani Klingensmith, Michael Gunter, Rachel Gunter and Josh Gunter; Great-Grandchildren Andrew Reid Sisco, Jackson Bloch Sisco, Katherine Lee Kern, Sam and Max Lipsman and Leah, Bina and Akiva Zinn.

Also survived by nieces and nephews, David Kerstein (Geneva), Dr. Alan Levin (Marilyn), Sidney Levin, Dr. Louis Levin (Donna), Robert Stern, Charles Stern, Jennifer Wright Overton (Rick), Dr. Barbara Brin, Dr. Edward Brin and many great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank her dedicated physicians Dr. Christopher Lege, Dr. Salvador Caputto, Dr. Sudhanva Wadgaonkar, and Dr. Leonard Glade and devoted caregivers Jenny Delgado, Mona George, Ashley Manzur, and Geraldine Byrd for their loving care.

A visitation will be held at Temple Sinai, 6227 St. Charles Avenue on Wednesday, January 2, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon, to be followed by a memorial service at noon. Burial will be at Metairie Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Temple Fund at Congregation Temple Sinai of New Orleans, or the charity of your choice preferred.

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com