That was our reality on Wednesday, May 26, when Lisa’s cousin called with the devastating news that her mom, Donna Isenberg, had passed a day earlier. We could probably have spent hours talking about our respective memories, but finally had to say our farewells.

Suddenly so many memories forgotten for years came flooding back into our minds. Of course, Lisa and I had our collective memories. Still, I’ve heard Lisa’s stories so many times over our 35 years together I often feel that I lived them.

Her aunt, the youngest of eight children, moved in with my wife’s family when Donna was still young. Maybe because of this close connection and because her aunt was less than 20 years older, my wife feels like Aunt Donna was more like a sister than an aunt.

It was no surprise then when Lisa chose this aunt’s daughter as a bridesmaid, someone with whom Lisa and later both of us retained close ties with over the years.

Her aunt – no, OUR Aunt Donna and her husband, Arnie, of blessed memory, who passed three years ago - were exceptional people. They were a couple who opened their doors to us in our early years of marriage. Back then, summer vacations did not consist of flying to a luxury resort. Instead, this fantastic family invited us to visit them at their home in West Bloomfield, Michigan.

You know how you meet certain people, and there is an instant connection? You don’t know the reason. Perhaps there is no reason. It’s just there. I loved their lifestyle, their way of looking at life. Life was to be enjoyed, and, from what I observed during our short summer visits, they did just that. They even introduced us to a new orange juice product that had just come on the market – Tropicana. It’s amazing how the small details stay with you.

 For a few years, Lisa and I would visit them, often spending days on their catamaran on Orchard Lake. It was peace and tranquillity at its best.

When Jordana arrived on the scene, our visits continued. However, staying with them meant a few changes. The first, of course, is that we came with more travel gear. Being ever so accommodating, they not only welcomed us with open arms, but also insisted we enjoy an evening out. We did just that, leaving our three-year-old daughter in their loving care. Since Jordana was always an easy-going child, I’m sure that they found her to be the perfect charge. We never forgot the generosity of their offer.

Taking her out on the lake was not as easy. Donna’s husband insisted Jordana would have to wear a lifejacket and went out and bought a new one for this one-time journey. We naively thought, “No problem.” Unfortunately, Jordana had other ideas and put up a fuss during our entire trip on the lake. Fortunately, Lisa’s will proved stronger, and she kept holding and trying to calm our young daughter, who finally calmed down when we returned to the dock.

The years flew by, but the connection remained. Then came our life-changing event. Over the years, I have often chronicled the struggles Lisa and I have endured after our accident in 1995.

At the time, my in-laws were visiting them in Detroit. When my brother, David, reached them on that fateful night in August, the news was anything but good, anything but hopeful. My beloved in-laws had to get back, driving during the night as quickly as they could. Our aunt and uncle refused to let them return by themselves. So, my mother-law went back with Aunt Donna, while Uncle Arnie came back with my father-in-law.

Once in Toronto, they remained for several weeks before heading home. A few weeks later, they drove back to Toronto to check how everyone was dealing with this new reality. That’s who they were, a loving, caring couple devoted to their entire extended family.

As years went by, these magic links remained strong with regular phone calls between Thornhill and Florida (where they had since moved). By then, Lisa was “healed,” and Jordana had grown to be a well-adjusted teen. The two-headed south in 2011 for a well-deserved and memorable visit. Both have memories that I’m sure they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

 Lisa and I almost visited our beloved aunt three years ago on two separate occasions. However, life intervened, and we were forced to put the trip on hold. It was frustrating but a minor setback (or so we thought at the time). Three months later, we rebooked the trip, and our bags packed. However, the flight was cancelled at the last minute after the 737 Max fleet was grounded. So this time, our plans were not only put on hold but killed for all time.

Lisa, Jordana and I finally got the opportunity to reconnect with this amazing woman two years ago at her grandson’s bar mitzvah. Unfortunately, however, we could see her husband’s passing had taken a toll on her.

A loving wife, a devoted mother and grandmother is gone. I guess, though, as long as we remember who she is…who she was, Donna Isenberg will remain with us forever.

We’ll miss you, Aunt Donna, but we won’t forget you.

Jeff Rosen