WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT
Isabel G. Graham
Isabel Graham never set out to be famous, nor did she imagine that a Market + Eatery would one day carry her name. Yet her simple, generous life and quiet acts of kindness continue to inspire us daily at Isabel’s Market + Eatery.
Born just a short walk from where Isabel’s now stands, Isabel spent her childhood in a small house still standing on Union Street. Her father was a master carpenter and farmer who poured his love and craftsmanship into their home and the land surrounding it, cultivating a hill rich with apple, peach, and quince trees, along with fields of barley and wheat. This life, rooted in family and the rhythms of the land, left a lasting impression on Isabel — a spirit of simplicity and abundance that we strive to embody every day at Isabel’s.
Isabel went on to attend Michigan Normal University (now Eastern Michigan University) and later dedicated herself to a lifelong career as a teacher and principal on the South Side of Chicago. Although her work took her miles away, Isabel’s heart remained deeply connected to her hometown and to the values she learned here. When she passed away in 1954, Isabel left a modest $5,000 gift to Douglas United Church of Christ, the church her father had helped build. Over time, that humble gift — a seed of her generosity — has grown to be worth more than $1,000,000, supporting local charities and enriching countless lives in the community she cherished.
Isabel’s legacy is also woven through her relationships. When she passed, she left behind her beloved niece, Mabel, and her partner of over 45 years, Nona. She is laid to rest in the Douglas Cemetery, where her name remains a quiet testament to the life she led. Isabel’s life, though simple, was filled with warmth, purpose, and a commitment to service. She remains a powerful reminder that the greatest impact often comes from the quietest lives.
When we chose the name Isabel’s, it was more than a tribute; it was a promise to carry forward her example. Inspired by her values, we aim to create a place where people can gather, connect, and celebrate life’s special moments, both big and small. We are guided by the principles Isabel lived by: to set a good example, to teach those eager to learn, to plant seeds in the community, to bring people together, to create lasting memories, and, always, to express gratitude for where we live. These values are our daily guideposts, as relevant now as they were in Isabel’s time.
As Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote, “Judge each day not by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” These words, displayed proudly on our wall, remind us of the lasting impact small acts of kindness can have. Isabel’s Market + Eatery isn’t just a place — it’s a living tribute to Isabel’s spirit, a daily opportunity to sow seeds that will nourish this community for years to come.
With deep gratitude for this place we call home, we continue honoring Isabel’s legacy by fostering a community filled with kindness, joy, and a commitment to giving back. Isabel’s reminds us all that it is through the seeds we plant today that our community will thrive tomorrow.
Born just a short walk from where Isabel’s now stands, Isabel spent her childhood in a small house still standing on Union Street. Her father was a master carpenter and farmer who poured his love and craftsmanship into their home and the land surrounding it, cultivating a hill rich with apple, peach, and quince trees, along with fields of barley and wheat. This life, rooted in family and the rhythms of the land, left a lasting impression on Isabel — a spirit of simplicity and abundance that we strive to embody every day at Isabel’s.
Isabel went on to attend Michigan Normal University (now Eastern Michigan University) and later dedicated herself to a lifelong career as a teacher and principal on the South Side of Chicago. Although her work took her miles away, Isabel’s heart remained deeply connected to her hometown and to the values she learned here. When she passed away in 1954, Isabel left a modest $5,000 gift to Douglas United Church of Christ, the church her father had helped build. Over time, that humble gift — a seed of her generosity — has grown to be worth more than $1,000,000, supporting local charities and enriching countless lives in the community she cherished.
Isabel’s legacy is also woven through her relationships. When she passed, she left behind her beloved niece, Mabel, and her partner of over 45 years, Nona. She is laid to rest in the Douglas Cemetery, where her name remains a quiet testament to the life she led. Isabel’s life, though simple, was filled with warmth, purpose, and a commitment to service. She remains a powerful reminder that the greatest impact often comes from the quietest lives.
When we chose the name Isabel’s, it was more than a tribute; it was a promise to carry forward her example. Inspired by her values, we aim to create a place where people can gather, connect, and celebrate life’s special moments, both big and small. We are guided by the principles Isabel lived by: to set a good example, to teach those eager to learn, to plant seeds in the community, to bring people together, to create lasting memories, and, always, to express gratitude for where we live. These values are our daily guideposts, as relevant now as they were in Isabel’s time.
As Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote, “Judge each day not by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” These words, displayed proudly on our wall, remind us of the lasting impact small acts of kindness can have. Isabel’s Market + Eatery isn’t just a place — it’s a living tribute to Isabel’s spirit, a daily opportunity to sow seeds that will nourish this community for years to come.
With deep gratitude for this place we call home, we continue honoring Isabel’s legacy by fostering a community filled with kindness, joy, and a commitment to giving back. Isabel’s reminds us all that it is through the seeds we plant today that our community will thrive tomorrow.
