Babette Stern Issacson rites, service on Sun.

BABETTE (BABS) STERN ISSACSON, a wife, mother and community activist, died on Sunday, February 1. She was 86.

Isaacson’s commitment to community service was legendary and she gave tirelessly to many programs, but chief among them were the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) of which she served as a section president, and Touro Auxillary.

A native of Philadelphia, she moved to New Orleans in 1952 to marry her beloved husband, the late Dr. Julius E. Isaacson, Jr.  Among the roles she cherished was her initiation of a consumer advocacy program at WDSU-TV, staffed by NCJW volunteers, which later relocated to WVUE-TV and became known as the FOX 8 Defenders. The purpose of the program is to assist those who have been underserved by a business or agency. The award-winning, 20-year-old program has enjoyed much success and impacted many lives, particularly after Hurricane Katrina.

A bike enthusiast, she was regularly seen riding around Audubon Park, but most family and friends recall her ability in the kitchen to whip up gourmet meals, to afford laughter to all and make everyone feel welcome at the Issacson “hotel,” as some came to call her home.

Issacson was also involved with Let’s Tell a Story, the Mothers of Twins Club, Girls Scouts, and the New Orleans Acrobatics Team.

She is survived by her daughters, Robbin (Jan) DeWeese, of Portland, OR.; Kim (Fred) Plotnick and Jill (Michael) Lashner of Philadelphia; Gail (Marc) Isaacson of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Pamela (Ben) Micznik of Detroit; her sister Rosalie (Perky) Cohen of Philadelphia and by 10 grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place at Temple Sinai on 6227 St. Charles Ave. on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 2:00 p.m. following a private burial. Friends may visit the family from 1:00 p.m. until time of service in the sanctuary. Rabbi Ed Paul Cohn will officiate with assistance from Cantor Joel Colman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the NCJW, 6221 S. Claiborne Ave. Suite 208, New Orleans, LA 70125; or WYES-TV, 916 Navarre Ave., New Orleans, LA 70124.

Tharp-Sontheimer Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.