Obituary: Dena Mendelson, 97

Dena Mendelson of Atlanta died in her home Monday, May 23, 2016. She was 97 years old.

Dena is survived by her children, Maureen O’Connor of Potomac, Md., and Jerry Fisher of Walnut Creek, Calif., and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Mendelson; her brothers, Sam and Izzie Isenberg; and her sister, Goldie Jacobs.

Dena was born in Philadelphia on April 9, 1919, to Morris and Bessie Isenberg. She spent most of her growing-up years in Milwaukee, where the family settled after her father found work there. It was the Depression era, and times were tough. But all the kids pitched in, and they endured. Eventually the family of six moved to Atlanta, where Dena and her siblings married and raised families.

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Dena will be remembered for her ageless beauty (“You can’t possibly be 95!”), quiet charisma, unceasing energy and givingness toward many. She weathered a lot and made mistakes, but she fortified herself and soldiered on — a Steel Magnolia to the end. The family would like to give special thanks to her caregivers, Rosetta, Cheryl, Danyetta, Sheena and Gena, for their warm and loving attention over the last few months.

Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Weinstein Hospice. Graveside services were held Thursday, May 26, at Greenwood Cemetery with Rabbi Philip Kranz officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.