In Memory of
Barbara Isaacs
01. 12. 1936 – 05. 06. 2022
Barbara’s daughter Elena Markham shared these thoughts :
” Our beloved mother, Barbara Isaacs, passed away on 6th of Sivan, the first day of Shavuot. It feels like a great honour that Mum left us on such a holy day. She was a woman of worth, a true original, whose enthusiasm, wisdom and wit rubbed off on so many people. She brought joy, and laughter to her large family and wide circle of friends.
Mum grew up in Brighton, above our grandparents’ shop in North Street. After spending time in London and Maidstone, Mum and Dad moved the family back to Brighton in 1971, where they became dynamic and vibrant members of the Jewish community, quickly becoming known for their generous hospitality, their involvement in local charities and their contribution to Shul life. They had an enormous and fabulous circle of friends, and enjoyed hosting dinners and parties.
Mum was a versatile and captivating character actress with an exceptional gift for comedy. She performed countless roles over the years for all of the local theatre groups as well as at the Ralli Hall. Notable roles included: Parthy Ann Hawkes in Showboat, Old Lady Squeamish in The Country Wife, Widow Corney in Oliver! Mrs Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, Mrs Northrop in When we are Married, Yente in Fiddler on the Roof, Dolly Levi in The Matchmaker, several of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads, and Mrs Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer, which she took to the Minack Theatre in Cornwall.
Born in 1936 Mum showed early talent, often entertaining her large extended family with poetry recitals, comedy and songs. She performed on television in her teens, won a place at RADA, and afterwards went into Rep in Crewe. She was invited to tour with Max Miller; however, she left the tour early in order to return to her family in Brighton. After a whirlwind romance, Mum married Dad in her early 20s and found fulfilment in motherhood and family life.
Vocally dextrous, Mum was known for her many voices and accents, her wonderful comic timing and her ability to portray a varied range of characters. She performed in musicals as well as dramas, and played occasional serious roles, whilst her speciality was comedy.
Mum was a skilled writer, devising many poems, short stories and monologues which she performed in community settings, often raising funds for local charities.
Her eye for humour also informed her quirky ceramic characters. She created down-at-heel clowns, doctors, lawyers, sportsmen, lifelike miniatures of the family dogs, a whole coven of witches and a regal George IV. The late actress, Dora Bryan, bought one of Barbara’s cricketers. Many other pieces were sold or given away and can now be found as far away as Vancouver, Hawaii and South Africa.
Mum was a loving and resourceful mother. She was warm, kind and generous. We would always call upon her when we needed guidance or advice on any number of subjects. And she always had the answer. She loved the three of us, Melanie, and Jon, and was immensely proud of all of her grandchildren.
Mum passed away on exactly the same date of the Jewish year as did our beloved father, Irvyn. They were connected in death as they were in life. Mum and Dad were an astonishingly good team, always in love, and forever dedicated to each other and us. They led a wonderful and fulfilling life together. We can only imagine that Dad came to collect her when it was her time.
After a long illness, which she had faced with courage and stoicism, Mum died peacefully in her sleep on the 5th of June. She will be remembered with love and laughter.
And to give Dad the last word, I remember him often saying, ‘She’s marvellous, she lights up the stage, she’s the life and soul of the party!’