Remembering Jonathan Carey-Voris

Written By Isabelle Heidbreder

Dear members, students, and friends of the Alliance Française de St. Louis,

It is with a very heavy heart that I must share with you the news of the passing of our dear friend, fellow student and board member extraordinaire, Jonathan Carey-Voris.

Jonathan first came to the Alliance Française de St. Louis after losing his wife in 2009. Little did he know what an impact this very small first step would have on his life and on all of ours: he very quickly made himself at home and many, many friends and adventures followed.

He was an amazing recording secretary and an incredibly generous AF benefactor. He was fond of saying that he was an “angel” (his membership level): he even found our building! He gardened, tagged our cars on April 1, brought lily-of-the-valley scented soaps to the office ladies and teachers on the French Fête du travail (May first), he never forgot a birthday, loved puns, double entendres, and graced us every year with a joy-filled calendar.

My April Fool’s days, May firsts, birthdays, luncheons, Christmases and karaoke nights will never be the same without him!

He was one of the gentlest, most beautiful, gracious and elegant souls I know.

Farewell Jonathan, take care, friend, ce n’est qu’un aurevoir !

I shall miss you!

Isabelle

 

Isabelle

Isabelle Heidbreder

Chevalier of the French Order of the “Palmes Académiques,” Consule Honoraire de France à Saint Louis, and Executive Director of the Alliance Française de St. Louis, Isabelle was born and bred in Toulon (Provence). After studying law for two years at the Université of Toulon-La Garde, she “gave it all up for love” and moved to the U.S. in 1981.

After a diverse career across the country, she joined the Alliance Française de St. Louis in 1998 as a teacher/translator/lecturer/tour guide and became our Executive Director in 2009.

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