Isabelle A. Messal, Opera Singer, Translator, Dies at 96

Isabelle A. Messal, 96, a longtime Haddonfield resident, died Monday at the St. Mary’s Home in Cherry Hill.

Mrs Messal (nee Swartzkopf)  was the wife of the late René S. and loving mother of Marie-Thérèse Norris (Daniel) of Haddonfield, and the late Paul Francis Messal, New York opera singer.

Isabelle, an opera singer, put her career on hold to contribute to the WWII war effort. She worked as a secretary and a translator, since she was fluent in French. She was also a canteen girl at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

Following the death of her fiancé, who was killed in action, she won first prize in a radio game show and used the winnings to travel to France to meet his family.  Several years after returning to Philadelphia, she met René, a French naval officer. They began their married life in France. 

Mrs. Messal’s family will receive friends on Wednesday, from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at Christ the King Church, 200 Windsor Ave., Haddonfield; where her funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Conshohocken, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to St. Mary’s Catholic Home, 210 St. Mary's Dr., Cherry Hill, NJ 08003.  Arrangements by Kain-Murphy Funeral Services of Haddonfield, NJ.