Isobel Palmer Tashnek

Isobel Palmer Tashnek passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2024. She lived a wonderful 99 years from her October 16, 1924 birth to Jake and Evelyn Palmer. She was born in Houston but raised in LaGrange – a proud LaGrange Leopard and later University of Texas graduate. Growing up in LaGrange meant volunteering and being a part of all school activities, traveling to Hallettsville for piano lessons and to Temple Israel (later relocated to Schulenburg) for services. The family owned the local feed store and raised and sold chickens and their eggs. Isobel’s Jewish faith was always the center of her life and Congregation Emanu El was her home for that. After and while raising her children, Ron, Nancy, and Gerald as a homemaker, she was mentored by and later became best friends with Babe Green. She led and volunteered not only for the Sisterhood at Emanu El, but at local, district and regional levels for B’nai B’rith Women (now JWI), traveling from one coast to the other attending and presenting at seminars. She was also a proud member of Hadassah and ORT. Isobel was always active – helping cherished brother, Manuel, get to doctor’s appointments, making deliveries for Meals on Wheels or picking up friends who were unable to drive to get to Temple services or other events. Into her 80s she would regularly drive alone to Corpus Christi to visit Gerald and support and encourage him and his family, to pray with him and help fight the MS he battled so valiantly. Manuel’s son Steve (Donna) and his family and Gerald’s son and daughter, David and Natalie, were always special to her. The other joy of her life - Isobel played and studied music for the piano from her teens for over 8 decades. We were spoiled at family occasions – she cherished and still played her 1962 piano, but she was accomplished enough to play for Temple services, musical programs and audiences like at Seven Acres where she played weekly for over a decade. She was always aware of her audience and bringing music to appeal to them or for the holiday being celebrated. She was a classical musician, but she played everything from Neil Diamond to the Beatles that we requested! Isobel was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Manuel Palmer, her beloved son, Gerald Alan Tashnek, and ex-husband, Arthur Tashnek. Surviving her are her children, Ron Tashnek (Patricia) and Nancy Mitchell (Paul); grandchildren, Brian Tashnek (Mindy), Angie Aron (David), Samantha Safron, Mallory Ceuric (Michael), Shauna Helm and Michael Mitchell; 9 great-children and 1 great, great grandchild. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. in the Kagan-Rudy Chapel at Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet Street, Houston, Texas 77074. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Jewish Women International (www.jwi.org/donate) or Congregation Emanu El (www.emanuelhouston.org/).

Isobel Palmer Tashnek

October 16, 1924 - July 25, 2024