Why her? Why now? It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating her newest successes, surrounded by laughter and enveloped in the warmth of her presence… and now we’re groping for strands of memories, attempting to weave them into a blanket that can cover the chilling loss.
Dr. Gillian Raemi (Newman) Isaac, age 47, died on a quiet Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Born on November 30, 1976, in the bustling city of New York, she grew to be a beacon of hope and healing, a medical visionary. From her home in northern Virginia to the echoing halls of Johns Hopkins University, Gillian was more than simply a name on a list of brilliant academics; she was a mentor, a friend, a mother, a daughter, a sister…
Her academic journey was quite remarkable. BYU, Georgetown, and SUNY Downstate College of Medicine—each chapter enriched her brilliant mind and caring soul. She did more than just rise through the ranks at Columbia and Johns Hopkins; she altered them. Gillian created futures with a soft yet firm hand while serving as Director of Obstetrics Anesthesia Fellowship and later Associate Vice-Chair for Faculty Affairs at JHU. Her dedication earned her several Golden Apple Awards, which were symbols of appreciation from people she supervised.
She is survived by her husband Sean, her children Anderson, Alexander, and Abby, her mother Judy and her wife Beth, her father Parley and stepmother Ann, and her siblings, all of whom orbit the emptiness she has left behind. A void felt by friends, colleagues, and anybody fortunate enough to cross her path.
We’ll commemorate her life on April 13, 2024, at St. James Episcopal Church. It will be a celebration of who she was and what she offered us. As we stand in the church, recall not just what we have lost, but also what we have gained by knowing her.
In times like these, Legacy Lane reminds us that a loved one’s legacy is intertwined throughout the stories we tell, the tears we cry, and the laughter we remember. Gillian’s legacy is a tapestry woven with all of these elements.
Why her? Perhaps we will never comprehend. But, as we go through this agony, maybe we may take comfort in knowing that her existence will have an impact on future generations. Rest in peace, Gillian. You were one of a kind.
