LaMaye Moore Isenberger 1925 – 2024

LaMae "LaMaye" Isenberger passed away peacefully on September 8, 2024, at her home in South Lake Tahoe, surrounded by family and friends. She is survived by her sisters, Clelis Martin of Weimer and Gracie Souza of Grass Valley, daughters Clelis Thompson (Derek), Pamella Isenberger of Woodfords, and Heidi Farrell of South Lake Tahoe, three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was born in E. Bernard, Texas on February 20, 1925. At the age of 17, she went on tour with the Dorothy Franey Ice Review where she was a featured skater for several years. She then went on to be a headliner with the Ice Follies. In 1948 she met and married her husband and established a home in Monterey. They were very active in the Monterey Jazz Festival every year. She also began what would be a lifelong love of painting.

She purchased her first home in Tahoe in 1973 and spent the next years traveling between the two homes for the summer and winter seasons. She accepted a position with the Ice Capades as the head of their skating school in Southern California. In 1976 she was offered the position of Skate School Director at the Ice Pond skating rink in Marina, Calif. In 1983 she moved back to her home in Lake Tahoe and vowed she would never again leave her beloved Tahoe.

She continued to be a prolific artist with paintings at the hospital, Senior Center, and local galleries and was an active member of the Tahoe Art League. She taught art classes at Lake Tahoe Community College as well as tutoring private students in her home. LaMae was a devoted Christian and was very active in the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church. She loved teaching the children in Sunday school and also led Bible study groups both at the church and in her home. She served as a Deacon and for many years was involved in all activities of the church.

In 2001, LaMae went to work at the newly opened Lake Tahoe Ice Arena as the skating school advisor and also tutored private students. She continued her skating, painting, and church activities for the rest of her time with us. She loved animals and spent many years with her cat Poncho and her beloved little dog Molly. LaMae embraced her faith, her family, and her friends with love, humor, and unquestioned devotion. She will be sorely missed by so many who knew and loved her.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date at the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church.