Isabelle L. Gordon (nee Sondles) known to many as “Dolly” passed away peacefully at home on January 9 at the age of 87.
Dolly was born and raised in Wadsworth Ohio, the youngest daughter of the late Robert and Mary Sondles, earning her nickname from her oldest brother who thought she was the perfect little doll baby. She graduated from Wadsworth High School and went on to study dental hygiene at the Ohio State University where she met her future husband, Don Gordon, a dental school student. She later earned her bachelor’s degree at Akron University. Marriage took her for brief sojourns to Cleveland and Fort Chaffee Arkansas, but she and her young family returned to make Wadsworth their permanent home.
In addition to her dedication to her family and household, Dolly had a professional career in Dental Hygiene and later in life as a Wedding Planner. She was a member of and supported various organizations in Wadsworth including Art & History, Bud and Bloom, Sacred Heart and later Prince of Peace Catholic church. She had many artistic talents and hobbies including painting, jewelry/silversmithing, knitting, sewing, gardening and canning. She loved to entertain family and friends and was a wonderful cook. She enjoyed traveling the US, Central America and Europe and was game for new activities; taking up skiing as an adult along with her young children. She loved spending time with family and friends, especially her children and granddaughters.
Dolly owes a special thanks for her longevity to her niece, Karen (Sondles) Holman, who donated a kidney for transplant to Dolly in 2000 and to renal specialist Dr. William Braun of the Cleveland Clinic. Dolly was an active member and supporter of TRIO, Transplant Recipient International Organization.
Dolly was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Donald Gordon and her daughter in law, Laura (David). She is survived by her 3 children, Rebecca ‘Becky’ (Doug) Lynes, Don (Lynne) and David; granddaughters, Carson (Mike) Conrad, Hayley Lynes, Kendall and Carley Gordon. She also leaves numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who will sadly miss her.
She is pre-deceased by siblings Robert (June) Sondles, Frances Sondles, Martha (Ed) Ruch, James (Janet) Sondles.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the wonderful caregivers who provided invaluable care and support to Dolly for many years and especially Mary Lich and Gwen Lane who were with her during her final days.
Isabelle will be interred on a future date at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery to join her husband. The family is planning a funeral mass and ceremony concurrent with the burial date. With COVID precautions, calling hours have been suspended.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the National Kidney Foundation, www.kidney.org <http://www.kidney.org> or TRIO, www.trioweb.org <http://www.trioweb.org> to support their efforts to donate life.