TOLEDO, Ohio — Sandy Isenberg, considered a political pioneer in Toledo with a career spanning more than four decades, died on Monday following a sudden illness, according to her obituary. She was 85.
Whether you agreed with her or not, she is forever a part of politics in the Glass City.
"You knew she was a Democrat, you knew she was committed to Toledo, but if you were her friend, she was fiercely loyal," said Allison Perz, a Republican and friend to Isenberg.
Isenberg was the first woman to hold multiple positions in Lucas County: president of the county commissioners, county commissioner and county recorder.
She was also front and center on several decisions that formed the downtown Toledo that stands today, including one that Perz says highlighted in particular.
"Look at the Mud Hens stadium, it's the perfect example," Perz said. "They needed to get out of Maumee. She knew exactly where they needed to be. We're going to help you, we're going to facilitate getting you to downtown."
Perz first met Isenberg through the "Carty and Company" television show, hosted by another well-known Toledo figure.
"Carty {Finkbeiner} called and asked me (to join his show)." Perz said. "They were starting this new show and they wanted to have conservative and Democratic opinions, and he said I didn't need to know anything and it was going to be fun, and he said 'you know, Sandy Isenberg's doing it, why don't you come on board?"
Finkbeiner has fond memories of the show and Isenberg's presence on it.
"The back and forth between the three of us was really, really fun, and every week it kind of brought renewed vitality and energy," he said.
Finkbeiner grew up with Isenberg and knew her since junior high, going from childhood friends to political colleagues.
"Sandy was always looking for a way to make a positive difference in those families' lives," Finkbeiner said.
Isenberg's impact went beyond politics, though. It also stretched into her faith.
"She was a member of the Toledo Hebrew Cemetery Association," said Stephen Rothschild, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo. "She was a part of the process that brought the Toledo Hebrew Cemetery Association and the congregations, the synagogues that had cemetery operations together into one operation that's now under the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo."
She was known for being fierce in fighting for people, too.
"She made an effort as a public servant to help people and she helped a lot of people," Rothschild said.
And she was fierce in her love for others.
"Sandy was always looking for the positives, not the negatives, but the positives that two human beings shared together," Finkbeiner said.
The Board of Lucas County Commissioners released the following statement on Tuesday about Isenberg:
"Sandy Isenberg was a longtime public servant, a force in the community, and a trailblazer who shaped the Board of Lucas County Commissioners.
She was the first woman to be elected as Lucas County Recorder, the first woman to be elected as a Lucas County Commissioner, and the first woman to serve as president of the Board of Lucas County Commissioners.
The Board extends its sincere condolences to Ms. Isenberg’s family and friends. Her impact to this community is immeasurable."