Izzy Leisure

Isabel “Izzy” (Lopez) Leisure passed away peacefully in the hospice wing of Hancock Memorial on the morning of October 8, 2023. Her story is an interesting and inspiring one, up to and including how she became known as Izzy to most and, “Aunt” Izzy to many. She was born in Mexico, one of 12 children, in the summer of 1939. The confusion surrounding her actual birthdate became an issue upon the family’s migration to the United States in the early 1940’s. When asked for an actual birthdate for Isabel at the Social Security office, her mother Elena replied, “I remember it was summer and it was really hot”. With the help of her two oldest brothers Willie and Phillip, they all settled upon August 25, 1939. Being a child in a migrant family, she spent time in both central Indiana and southern Texas. She attended school in both Greenfield and New Palestine, eventually earning her GED, as obtaining a traditional high school diploma became increasingly difficult due to the constant migration. Izzy married James “Jim” Leisure on February 21, 1959. Like most things in her life, even the meeting of her future husband has an interesting backstory. The two met at a funeral. She was there to support her brother Roy Lopez, who along with his wife Chloe, were grieving the loss of a baby girl. Chloe happened to be Jim’s aunt, and the initial connection was made. Jim and Izzy had three children, Liza in 1959, Linda in 1962 and Jim in 1964. The family resided in the little town of Philadelphia, just west of Greenfield, where both remained until their deaths, Jim in 2004 and Izzy in 2023. She worked for about 8 years at Western Electric in the late 60’s into the mid 70’s. She got the name “Izzy” while at Western. Apparently, there were three Isabels on the same shift and the common name was causing confusion. One lady demanded to be called only Isabel, the other agreed to answer to Bell and she became Izzy. In the mid-70’s she decided to become a stay-at-home mom and raise her children the way she wanted it done. With that decision, she also took on the role of “neighborhood babysitter”. She provided after-school childcare, as well summer childcare, for the majority of her neighborhood. She always instructed the children she cared for to call her “Aunt” Izzy, and thus, Aunt Izzy was born. Many of the children she cared for loved her deeply and still called her Aunt Izzy when they came to visit her years later. She had many hobbies and interests. She loved to knit and crochet, even knitting her daughter Linda’s wedding dress. It was beautiful and admired by all in attendance. She loved to bowl and was pretty good at it, by most accounts. She bowled in 3-4 leagues a week and was frequently called by fellow bowlers to sub. It was not uncommon for her to bowl 7 days a week. With the children grown and moved out, she decided to enroll at IUPUI, taking any course that piqued her interest. Eventually she earned enough credits to earn a General Studies degree. Following her husband Jim’s lead, she became a “Yellow Shirt” at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. She ran her elevator with an iron fist and anybody without the proper credentials, celebrity or not, could kiss the bricks, but they weren’t getting past her! For many years, she was a Spanish interpreter for the Hancock County Court system, working for years for free. Eventually, Judge Richard Culver found out she wasn’t being paid and demanded she accept renumeration. In early 2004, Jim passed away. To compound the issue, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. Ever the warrior, she survived the chemo and radiation treatments and was eventually declared cancer free. Feeling better, she began a steady diet of Bingo and dancing, eventually meeting Rick Sylvester. Though they never married, she and Rick enjoyed many of the same interests and the two remained close friends until Rick’s death in 2017. She lived independently for the next several years, driving herself all around Greenfield and the far-eastside of Indy. In the summer of 2022, her health began to decline and a series of maladies and illnesses culminated in a liver cancer diagnosis in May 2023. She was placed in Home Hospice care on July 29 where she was expertly cared for by her two daughters Liza and Linda, with the help of many family members, at her home, which is where she wanted to be. Izzy was proceeded in death by her husband of 44 years Jim, her mother, Elena Vasquez, step-father Carlos Vasquez and 10 of her siblings: brothers Willie Lopez, Phillip Lopez, Steve Lopez, Don Lopez, Roy Lopez, Louis Lopez and Jesse Lopez and sisters Betty Lopez, Mary Guzman and Santos Lopez. Her brother Benny Lopez of Florida survives, as does several nieces and nephews. Izzy was also preceded in death by one great granddaughter, Tabitha Trotter. She is also survived by her three children, Liza Wilson (Terry), Linda White (Marion) and Jim Leisure (Leslie). She has six surviving grandchildren, Laura Trotter (Terrence), Sara Strickland (Adam), Jared White, Andrea White, Jacob Leisure and Abbey Catton (Matt). Eight great-grandchildren also survive Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 15, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. A funeral service will be held at the mortuary on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with viewing 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Greenfield. In lieu of flowers, chimes, blankets and planters, the family strongly wishes for you to donate to the Hancock Health Foundation, Women Helping Women Fund, 801 N. State St., Greenfield, IN 46140 or envelopes will be available at the mortuary. Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.

Izzy Leisure

August 25, 1939 - October 8, 2023