Janet S. Isenberg (née Sommers) died on February 1, 2026 in Auburndale, Mass. from complications related to congestive heart failure. She was 91.
Janet was a devoted and proud wife, mother, grandmother and aunt. Full of quiet strength, a sharp intellect, radiant warmth, and understated elegance, she was happiest when surrounded by family and friends. Her abundant love and selflessness made her a great listener and true friend to many.
Born in 1934 and raised in Chicago, Janet was valedictorian of her high school class, a distinction that foreshadowed the discipline and clear judgment that would define her. She attended Wellesley College, earning her B.A. in economics as part of the Class of 1956. After graduation she joined Loomis, Sayles & Co., where from 1956 to 1964 she worked in the research department, compiling and presenting statistical data, charts and analyses of business, economic and monetary trends.
One day in 1961, on the beach at Plum Island she met Pat Isenberg, then the women’s shoe buyer at Filene’s in Downtown Crossing. After their instant connection on the beach and a follow-up visit to Pat’s shoe department, ten months later they were engaged to marry. Pat’s career moved them from the Boston area to Los Angeles, then to New Orleans, and later back to Massachusetts. He died unexpectedly in 1989. Having met ‘the love of her life’, she never remarried.
Upon returning to Massachusetts, Janet made a long, steady commitment to Wellesley College, a place she considered one of her true communities. She worked for 12 years in the admissions office, overseeing international student admissions and coordinating their prospect and applicant database. Even after retiring in 1992, she continued to work part time in several additional Wellesley College offices, and she remained deeply involved as an alumna, including coordinating her class reunion in later years. She marched proudly in her 60th reunion.
Janet’s principle focus was her family and she supported and followed their passions with enthusiasm - whether that was the family obsession with rowing, skiing, academic achievements, musical performances, collegiate soccer games and much more. She delighted in spending time with them on Cape Cod, enjoying a hamburger on the grill and time at the beach.
She had a canny knack for integrating into every community she found herself a part of, from Wellesley to New Orleans and later at Lasell Village in Newton, where she lived in later years. A lifelong lover of music, especially opera and classical music. She once wrote, “In my next life, I want to come back as a musician so that I can perform the symphonic and chamber music I so passionately love.” She saved concert programs, and if she could not attend, she asked someone to bring one back so she could study it. She found another community of close friends in fellow Opera lovers, formed through 15 years of classes and several trips
She is survived by her daughter, Karen Fossett of Boise, Idaho; Karen’s husband, Roger Fossett; and their daughters, Sarah Fossett and Jennifer Fossett; and by her son, David Isenberg of Cambridge, Mass.; David’s wife, Sarah Isenberg; and their daughter, Lilah Isenberg; and by her brother, Robert Sommers of Lake Forest, Illinois; his wife, Sandra and their six children, her beloved nieces and nephew.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Janet’s name may be made to the Wellesley College Students Aid Society, Attn: Donations, 106 Central St., Schneider Center Suite 117, Wellesley, MA 02481 or Wellesley College Students Aid Society.