Isabelle Paul
Share this:
Despite being midway through her 10th decade of life, Isabelle Paul still slips into heels before heading out to dinner or a piano recital. Independent and full of energy, she keeps an active social calendar.
“At 95, I can drive and take care of myself,” Isabelle says. “For that, I’m very grateful to Mayo Clinic.”
Isabelle has had her physicals at Mayo Clinic since 1989, and she’s been a Major Benefactor for even longer. While The Mayo Legacy is celebrating its 35th year, Isabelle has been a benefactor for more than four decades.
Isabelle’s connection with Mayo Clinic began when her husband, Lawrence, a Cincinnati builder and developer, hotel owner, and manufacturer of parts for the space program, was diagnosed with cancer in 1984. Lawrence’s cancer wasn’t curable, Isabelle says, but Mayo Clinic helped him live long enough to get his affairs in order.
“It gave me my husband for two more years,” she says.
The couple spent weeks at a time in Rochester during Lawrence’s treatment, and Isabelle fell in love with the “wonderful atmosphere” of the community. “The people of Rochester are proud of Mayo,” she says. “They realize many people visiting there are either going through the clinic or with someone who is in the clinic.”
Our world has changed, but Mayo stays on course, and I appreciate that. It’s wonderful to have somebody you can trust.
— Isabelle Paul
On a walk down Broadway Avenue one day, Isabelle stopped into Ginny’s Fine Fabrics. It was the start of a decades-long friendship with the store’s owner, Ginny Smith. “She’s one of the most delightful ladies I’ve ever known,” Ginny says. Ever since, nearly all of Isabelle’s clothes, which she designs herself, have been made from Ginny’s fabrics.
Isabelle is one of Ginny’s most loyal — and most elegant — customers. “She discovered me when I was first starting out,” Ginny says. “She's one of the reasons I'm still in business.”
Now, wearing Ginny’s fabrics, Isabelle carries a bit of Rochester, and by extension, Mayo Clinic, with her everywhere.
The Beauty of Service
After Lawrence died in 1987, Isabelle decided to devote her life to serving others.
In 2004, Isabelle was invited to join the Order of St. John of Jerusalem Knights of Hospitaller, a Christian charity serving the sick and poor. Since Isabelle started the order’s Florida Commandery chapter in 2011, it has supported local organizations including Boca Helping Hands, HomeSafe and Gateway Community Outreach. For her service to the order, Isabelle was recognized as a Dame Grand Cross, the highest honor bestowed by the charity.
“It makes me very happy to be able to help so many people in so many ways,” Isabelle says.
Isabelle also enjoys making art. While quarantined during the COVID-19 pandemic, she painted icons of the 12 disciples, which are now hung in the chapel of her church.
Isabelle donated valuable antiques to Mayo Clinic’s historical buildings when she moved from Cincinnati to Boca Raton, Florida. At the Mayo Foundation House, two large jade statues adorn the mantel and two Daum glass vases sit on the desk of Dr. Charlie Mayo, co-founder of Mayo Clinic. The lifesize brass knight that greets visitors to Mayowood was also a gift from Isabelle’s collection.
“I love beautiful things,” she says. “It makes me feel good that someone will also get to enjoy them as much as I have.”
In 2018, Isabelle donated the Mayo Ancestors model statue to Mayo Clinic in Florida. She says her support of Mayo Clinic has never wavered because the health system has always stayed true to its mission.
“The patient comes first. They want excellence, and they’re doing that,” Isabelle says. “Our world has changed, but Mayo stays on course, and I appreciate that. It’s wonderful to have somebody you can trust.”