Isaacs died suddenly from a suspected heart attack, while out cycling with friends on the contour roads just behind Simola on Sunday, October 16.
NSRI communication officer, Craig Lambinon, explained, "At 09:14 NSRI Knysna volunteers were activated to assist a cyclist who collapsed after suffering a suspected heart attack in the greater Gouna Forest while cycling in a group of about six fellow cyclists."
Graeme Harding, NSRI Knysna station commander, and ardent cyclist, explained, "Our NSRI Knysna rescue vehicle, carrying our NSRI duty doctors and NSRI medics, responded to the scene and Metro EMS ambulance services were activated."
Harding said that Isaacs’ friends had performed CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) on her immediately after her collapse and explained that he had continued with CPR on his arrival at the scene. "After extensive efforts to resuscitate Jenni were exhausted, she was declared dead by a NSRI volunteer and doctor in attendance," explained Harding.
Isaacs, who moved to Knysna in 1983 and owned Knysna Framers and Gallery, was "an extremely gentle and a kind person who had never raised her voice to anybody. She was a very gentle soul," said close friend Trevor Niksch.
Several Knysna Canoe Club paddlers, the NSRI as well as friends and family gathered at the NSRI Knysna station on Tuesday, October 18 to offer their support to husband Zac and pay tribute to their much loved friend, Jenni.
Canoeists joined Zac in paddling from the Knysna Yach Club towards the Heads, where friends and family were waiting onshore or onboard other boats.
The paddlers were shadowed by three NSRI boats aboard which several senior NSRI volunteers joined in the informal ceremony. "Many NSRI volunteers had gotten to know Jenni and Zac well when they all belonged to the Knysna Round Table years ago, and especially when Jenni had coordinated the Cabaret Capers NSRI fundraiser," explained Harding. He said that it was this involvement that had motivated them to join Zac in the informal ceremony.
As Tuesday evenings were usually reserved for the Canoe Club’s time trials, members who assist from the safety of terra firma joined in the ceremony.
On arrival, the paddlers formed a raft directly in front of the NSRI shed and cast flowers onto the water.
Zac described the informal ceremony as incredibly special, explaining how he appreciated the love and support from the people who were so much a part their lives. He further said that Jenni would have been very touched and moved by the love and care.
Close friend, Nikki Smit, had joined in the ceremony from alongside the estuary and explained, "I was standing with Jenni’s mom [Rita Vermeulen] and brother [Martin] on the rocks, and they were totally overwhelmed by the love and support of everyone. The fact that so many people came to give tribute to Jenni, just bowled them over! They asked that I say a very heartfelt thank you to all for making it so very special. And very special it was!"
Zac also expressed his heartfelt thanks to all and said that Jenni had always claimed a special place in the hearts of everybody she had met.
In closing he conveyed his love for Jenni, saying he had been very privileged to have shared 33 years of his life with such a special person.
Isaacs is survived by her husband, Zac, her mother Rita Vermeulen and her three brothers, David, Martin and Rudy.
The family will be celebrating Jenni’s life during a wake to be held at Yates farm on the airport road, Plettenberg Bay tomorrow (Friday, October 21) at 16:00.
Those wishing to attend are requested to bring a cash donation for the Knysna Animal Welfare Society in lieu of flowers.
This celebration of Jenni’s life will be followed by a bring-and-braai, and friends and family are asked to bring their own cutlery, crockery, chairs and any other necessary picnic equipment.
For further information, call 082 446 6332.
 (Small).jpg)
Several paddlers, family and friends, joined Jenni’s husband Zac in an informal ceremony in front of the NSRI Knysna station, in tribute to Jenni Isaacs, who died on Sunday, October 16.
ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
