Isabel Bennett, 81, died on June 24, 2020 at Brookdale Salem in Salem, VA after a prolonged illness. She was deeply loved by her family and under the care of Good Samaritan Hospice.
She was born on January 21, 1939 in New York, the daughter of Anthony E. Loscalzo MD and Harriet Gundersen Loscalzo.
Isabel graduated from Manhattanville College on May 30, 1960 and later earned her masters in social work. After graduation, she worked for the County of Westchester, NY for 31 years as a social worker, supervisor, and administrator in foster care and the inpatient Westchester psychiatric hospital. She later worked at the VAMC in Durham, NC. She loved being a social worker and establishing therapeutic relationships with her clients and patients. She was also a volunteer and board member of hospice in Westchester and because of her love of animals, she worked as a rescuer of felines and strays in New York and North Carolina. She had a short marriage to John Joseph Bennett from 1974-1977, which ended in divorce. She never completely recovered from a miscarriage in 1976, but instead devoted herself to her work, family, friends, and pets. In addition to animal advocacy, Isabel loved mystery novels, photography, museums, operas, and going to a myriad of lectures. In her younger days, Isabel enjoyed traveling to Europe and South America, but her heart was always at the beach in Montauk, NY. Amongst her many humanitarian efforts, she also helped sponsor a child in Bolivia.
She was predeceased by her parents, Anthony E. Loscalzo MD and Harriet Gunderson Loscalzo.
Surviving family members include her brother Anthony C. Loscalzo and his wife Bente Cooney of Graysonville, MD; her niece, Carolyn L. H’Doubler MD and her husband William Z. H’Doubler MD of Roanoke VA and their children, Zack, Triff, and Julia; and her nephew, Anthony M. Loscalzo of Boonton, NJ and his daughters, Ella and Caroline.
A service of remembrance will be held 11 AM on Monday, June 29, 2020 at Evergreen Burial Park in the Chapel of Light at 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, VA. Those who wish to remember Isabel in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the ASPCA.org.
The family would also like to express special thanks to the staff at Jefferson Surgical Clinic, Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Springtree Rehab, Brookdale Salem Assisted Living, Our Lady of Nazareth Roman Catholic Church, and Good Samaritan Hospice.