Isabel Wilsbach

Isabel B. Wilsbach (nee McGovern)

12/27/1924 to 12/26/2021

Isabel B. Wilsbach passed away on December 26, 2021, the day preceding her 97th birthday.  Isabel was the wife of the late Robert R. Wilsbach and mother to 9 children who love her dearly.

Isabel was born in Philadelphia, PA to the late Margaret M. and Frank McGovern who both immigrated to Philadelphia from County Cavan, Ireland.  Isabel was the last surviving McGovern sibling of Catherine, Francis, Rose (McKay), Margaret (aka Mag, Behre), Eileen (aka Ozzie, Ramspacher), Joseph, Hugh, Daniel, and Jack McGovern.

Isabel met Bob Wilsbach at a dance at St. Joseph’s Home.  He proposed marriage in a carriage in Central Park.

Isabel was a woman of faith and member of several parishes throughout her life, including Holy Child, (now Our Lady of Hope) where she and Bob married and subsequently celebrated many Baptisms, First Holy Communions, Confirmations, and Weddings.

Isabel volunteered often and was a regular “Library Mother” at Holy Child and a Girl Scout Cookie Cupboard for many years.  In 1984 Isabel and Bob moved and became members of Presentation parish.  About a year after Bob died in 1995, Isabel moved to Havertown, PA, where she became a member of the Annunciation BVM parish.  She helped to clean the church, make rosaries, and read to the grade school children.  She was an active member of the parish seniors’ group and when she was still driving could be seen driving the other senior ladies to and from church, which she often attended daily.

In her final years, Isabel was a resident of Little Flower Manor nursing home where she often spoke proudly of her family to the nurses and staff.

Isabel is survived by her 9 children, Brother Robert R. Wilsbach, FSC, Thomas A. Wilsbach (Rebecca), Marie Hartke (Jack), Ann Esposito (John), Regina Levin (Herman), Peg Wilsbach (Linda Bourdet), Fran Bahn (John), Kathleen Wilsbach (Emil Volcheck), and Ellen Diorio (Joe).  Isabel dearly loved her (6) grandchildren, Megan Foytack (Geoff), Katie Hartke Quinn (Ryan), Amy Talley (Bob), Andrew Esposito (Diana), Robert Bahn and Anna Bahn.  In addition, she was blessed with (7) great grandchildren, Brady & Emma Foytack, Mia and Johnny Esposito, Zoe Quinn, and Declan and Miles Talley.

Isabel will also be missed by her many nieces, and nephews.

Viewing will be held on Monday, January 3rd from 9:30 to 10:50 with Funeral Mass immediately following at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Hope (Church of the Holy Child) at 5200 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19141.  Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Please follow Covid protocols including vaccinations and masks. The service will be uploaded for viewing later in the day for those who cannot attend. A Celebration of Life will also be held in the spring to honor Isabel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Flower Manor, 1201 Springfield Road, Darby, PA 19023, Our Lady of Hope Church, 5200 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA  19141, or WHYY, 150 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, https://whyy.org/, would be appreciated.