In Memory Of

Victoria A. Isphording Obituary
VICTORIA A. ISPHORDING (nee Draper) age 73, passed away peacefully at her home on April 14, 2025. Married 47 years to her beloved husband, Francis X. Isphording who died in June 2024. Dearest daughter of the late Richard and Marjorie Draper (nee Walsh). Treasured sister-in-law to Thomas (Suzi) and David Isphording and Margie Hull (Richard). Dear cousin and aunt to many.

Vicki grew up in Cleveland Heights and graduated from Heights High in 1969. Vicki and Frank met in high school. It was an unabashed ‘smitten at first sight’ situation for Vicki. A short time later the tall, dark, dashing Francis Xavier fell for Victoria. After High School Vicki worked at an optician’s office while Frank completed college and Grad School. They married in July 1978.

Their marriage included travel with a capital T. Cross country trips, European vacations with the Drapers and Italian countryside gallivanting with their glamorous LA pals (you know who you are). For decades Frank and Vic lived in London for a month a couple times a year. Ever loyal to the friendships they forged, the Isphordings of Cleveland stayed each visit at the same apartment. Their London stays included side trips to Newmarket, Aintree and Epsom Downs Race Courses. They adopted the English tradition of tea time. If you popped round at four or half-four o’clock, you’d receive a cup. The tea was brewed with loose tea, steeped properly (!) and paired with a sweet or savory snack. Vicki was of Scots-Irish decent. Through years of UK influence, her conversation morphed to accommodate a bundle of UK idioms; crikey, blimey, nosey Parker, wee dram, heck DM, ta-ra.

It was a charming Master Class adopted by many and still spoken today. It’s no surprise Vicki was passionate about English Football. Her Premier League team: Chelsea F.C., the Blues.

Vicki was a curious individual. A voracious reader who dove deep into subjects that intrigued her. Volumes on English Monarchy, grand houses, gardens, horse racing, cookbooks, UK authors, Irish poets, decor, history and mystery. If you spent time with Vicki, you received an education on a wide range of topics. She was talented at sussing out the obscure and quirky. Vicki’s cookbook obsession led to epic meals and the start of a successful catering endeavor. A true gourmet and precision baking skills but not too cultured to enjoy a Sloppy Joe and a glass of beer. Vicki and Frank loved rock and roll; English bands with favourites; the Kinks and David Bowie. Their Cleveland live music ‘go-to’ (back-in-the-day) was The Barking Spider and the band “Cat Free Air”. Both Frank and Vicki had an itch for sketch comedy, drama and Shakespeare. However, the disdain they shared for musicals was as real as it was deep.

Frank’s illness kept them close to home these last dozen years. They were devoted to each other and the NYT. Each sharing a news tidbit the other may have missed. Vicki prepared adventurous meals inspired by a new cookbook. Shopping? Yes, there was shopping. Cleveland Heights merchants could count on Vicki to stop in for a chat and leave with a purchase.

In 1997 Vicki met a group of Tibetan Buddhist monks at the Cleveland Museum of Art. This chance encounter grew into a deep and personal 28 year long friendship with the Venerable Tenzin Yignyen, Tenzin Konchock and Tenzin Lekmon of Namgyal Monastry. This relationship sparked a new period in her life, marked by introspection and inner growth. In the last five years dealing with Frank’s medical issues and her own, Vicki leaned on her Buddhist beliefs and her circle of monks who helped her in times of stress and uncertainty. After Frank’s death just 10 months ago, Vicki spoke with joy and appreciation for all that she and Frank were able to do in their rich and adventurous life together. “I am so grateful for every minute of the trips and the fun and the time we had”. In the end, she leaves us with the wisdom of gratitude.

A gathering to remember Vicki is in planning stages…

Donations in Vicki’s memory can be made to: Namgyal Monastery Institute of Buddhist Studies / Dü Khoi Choe, 201 Tibet Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850.