Lita B. (Soucy) Isabelle

July 19, 1923 - January 26, 2021

Lita B. (Soucy) Isabelle, 97 FITCHBURG - Lita Bernice (Soucy) Isabelle, 97, passed away on January 26, 2021, after a short illness and bout with Covid. Lita was born in Fitchburg July 19, 1923, the daughter of Hilda (Dumais) and Joseph B. Soucy. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Robert A. Isabelle who died in 2002. Lita was a graduate of Fitchburg High School class of 1941, where she was a Gold F student, champion tennis player and an avid sports enthusiast. Lita had many interests and passions throughout her lifetime. She and her husband enjoyed golfing and travel. She was also a member of several different organizations including Friends of Coggshall; Laurelwood Garden Club, where she loved taking part in the annual Art in Bloom event; and trustee of the former Worcester North Savings Institution. In earlier days she was very involved in the St. Joseph Parish religious education program and was a lifelong communicant of St. Joseph Parish in Fitchburg. Lita was a scout leader and was very involved in supporting Notre Dame High School in Fitchburg, when her sons were students and athletes there. Later, when living on Cape Cod, she was a member of Bay to Sound Neighbors, an all-volunteer aging in place village for seniors in Dennis and Yarmouth. Lita was best known for her role as co-owner of the former Rendezvous Restaurant of Fitchburg with her husband Bob along with son David and daughter-in-law Gale, as part of a long standing family business spanning over 60 years. Lita loved her role as hostess and greeting the many customers she came to know and befriend over the years. She also appreciated the many long-time employees and notable musicians who provided entertainment and made the dining out experience special. One of her proud moments was welcoming First Lady Rosalyn Carter, who briefly stopped by the Rendezvous when visiting Fitchburg in the late seventies. While in high school, Lita was offered a job at Nathan’s Jewelry Store on Main Street in Fitchburg. The family took her under their wing and she was always very thankful for that. She used to chuckle when telling the story of when she was a young woman, she would travel back and forth to Boston on the train periodically with a small sac of diamonds that she was entrusted with for the store. She later received her certification as a gemologist and worked at Nathan’s for several enjoyable years. Lita moved to Cape Cod in 2015 to be closer to her daughter Carol. Her last 5 1/2 years living near the ocean were especially happy. She enjoyed driving down to her favorite beach with her coffee to look out at the ocean or having a picnic with family at her favorite place, Corporation Beach. She is survived by her three children, Richard Isabelle of Boca Raton, Florida, Deacon David Isabelle and his wife Gale (Carfagna) of Fitchburg, and Carol (Donohue) and husband Dan Donohue of Dennis, MA, grandchildren Dr. Aaron Isabelle and wife Kristen of Athens, NY, Brandon Isabelle and wife Gabby of Aurora, Colorado and great-granddaughter Carly Isabelle of Athens, NY. Lita’s extended family includes step-grandchildren Michelle Duke and husband Bill, Sean Donohue and wife Michelle, Shannon Mondello and husband Jordan of El Paso, TX and step-great grandchildren Patrick Duke, Madeline Duke, Peyton Duke, Caoilinn Donohue and Eabha Donohue. The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Broad Reach Healthcare-Liberty Commons and Broad Reach Healthcare Hospice for the excellent care and comfort they provided to our mother. The Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon Street, Fitchburg will be handling arrangements. A mass will be held in her honor on Wednesday, February 3, 2012 at 11 AM at St. Joseph Church, 49 Woodland Street, Fitchburg. Due to Covid concerns there will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bay to Sound Neighbors, PO Box 1505, South Dennis, MA 02660; Beacon of Hope Community Services, 62 West Street, Leominster, MA 02453; or St. Joseph Parish, 49 Woodland Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420 or a charity of your choice. A recording of Lita's Funeral Mass, will be available to view Wednesday afternoon at the link below: https://my.gather.app/remember/lita-b-soucy-isabelle