Janice Ailene Isaacson 1926-2024: Janice Isaacson passed away peacefully at home on March 15, 2024 at the age of 97. Janice was born in Newport, Washington where she and her brother Elbert were raised by her loving parents Clarence and Alma Mitchell. Janice spoke about being raised through the depression era and how her dad worked several jobs to provide for the family. Her parents always found ways to make life fun and full of love.

Janice’s family moved to Spokane, Washington when she was 4 years old. She was always a good student and excelled in many athletic events. She attended North Central High School where she continued to thrive, but she really shined in tennis where she was Inland Empire Champion. Janice met the love of her life, Jerry Isaacson, while in high school. They married in June of 1947, and then moved to Moscow, Idaho where Jerry attended the University of Idaho on a baseball scholarship. Janice worked as a receptionist for a dentist and also ran the credit ledgers at a department store to help Jerry get through college. They moved to the Tri-Cities in 1951 when Jerry began work at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, and they began to raise a family.

Janice became a mother to 6 children including first born Curt who passed from leukemia at the age of 4, Gary, Jan, Eric, Chris and Sandy. The loving environment created for the family allowed each of the kids to have fun and thrive. Almost all of the activities were outdoors, and the entire neighborhood always seemed to congregate at the Isaacson house. It was not unusual for Janice to sit at the piano and play “Clair de Lune” to bring the day to a close.
Janice was very active in activities at school as well as the Cub Scouts. She was one of the leaders in fundraising for the PTA at Vista Elementary, and she orchestrated various activities at school carnivals like the fishing pond and cake walks. The molasses popcorn balls that were mistaken for chocolate didn’t go over very well! Janice also created a competition where each class was able to move their designated hydroplane around a race course based on their classroom accomplishments. The class that won the race would receive a special prize. Janice always made the activities fun, and the excitement created many wonderful memories.

Janice was preceded in death by son Curt Isaacson, husband Jerry Isaacson, parents Clarence and Alma Mitchell, and brother Elbert Mitchell.
Family was everything to Janice. She is survived by children – Gary Isaacson (Cindy) of Loon Lake, WA; Jan Brown (Louk Schotemeyer) of Kennewick, WA; Eric Isaacson (Judy) of Loon Lake, WA; Chris Isaacson (Terry Curtis) of Kennewick, WA; Sandy Quesnell (Paul) of Kennewick, WA; 12 Grandchildren – Amy Byrd (Evan); Jennifer LaBelle (Donnie); Darcy Sherman; Josh Brown (Karla); Jake Brown (Quinn); Jamie Isaacson (Jordan Johnston); Nicole Isaacson; Kati Isaacson (Jordan Nelson); Heather Isaacson-Dienes (Eddie); Rachel Spaeth (Josh); Ross Quesnell (Stefani); Ben Quesnell (Amanda); 12 Great Grandchildren – Deacon, Sebastian and Adaleigh Byrd; Allison and Sophia LaBelle; Jade Brown; Greta and Ilsa Johnston; Ellie Isaacson; Haylee, Xander and Harper Spaeth; and baby boy Quesnell on the way.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 20th at 1:00pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 915 Bypass Hwy, Richland, WA 99352. For those unable to attend, a live video streaming of the service will be available on the Einan’s obituary webpage.