Evelyn Isseks

    Evelyn Isseks of Middletown, NY died in her sleep at home on Thursday morning, a few days

shy of 97. She was born in Manhattan on February 9, 1925, the daughter of David Sher and

Sadie (Jaffee) Sher.

    Evelyn spent her first years in NYC, and watched from her window as workers built the George

Washington Bridge. When she was in grade school, she and her parents and older sister,

Grace, moved to Monticello where her father opened a drugstore. Just before she started high

school, Ev and her family moved to Middletown where David started the Rialto Pharmacy and

soda fountain on North Street.

    Ev graduated from Teachers College at Oneonta, then returned to Middletown and married

Jack Isseks in 1946. Evelyn and Jack raised two sons in Middletown, Frederick and Robert.

Evelyn also started an 18 year teaching career in Middletown Schools where she taught all the

elementary grades, but loved teaching second graders at Liberty Street School the most. While

she taught, she took classes and earned a masters degree and an Advanced Certificate in

education at New Paltz.

    In the mid-1960s, Evelyn became the principal of North Main Street Elementary School in

Monroe, one of the only open space schools in Orange County, where she served until her

retirement 20 years later. Soon after, Ev was elected to the first of two terms on the

Middletown School Board where she was a strong advocate for children and their teachers.

    Evelyn lived a long, productive, and loving life, cherishing her family and serving her

community. She touched the hearts and lives of many young people. Evelyn was one of the

oldest members of the Middletown Women’s University Club. She was also a member of

Temple Sinai Sisterhood and the Phi Delta Kappa education fraternity. Evelyn loved doing

cross stitching and needlepoint, cooking and baking, reading and traveling, caring for cats, and

keeping her house in order.

    Evelyn was predeceased by her parents and her sister; her husband Jack who died 25 years

ago; and her younger son Robert who died in 2017. She is survived by her son Frederick; her

daughters-in-law Denise Shelby Isseks and Judith Reynolds Isseks; her grandchildren

Abraham, Sophie, and Sadie; her great grandchildren Paddy and Kenneth; and many nieces

and nephews.

   A graveside ceremony will be held on Sunday, February 6th at 2 pm at The Temple Sinai

Cemetery in Circleville, NY. Memorial contributions can be made to the Middletown Women’s

University Club.

   Arrangements have been entrusted to Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home. 

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