By DON STINE
Sister Isis of Neptune feels she is particularly blessed this holiday season even though her home and all of her possessions, including her beloved African drums, were destroyed in a fire two weeks ago.
Sister Isis, whose real name is Rosalee McNair, has lived most of her adult life in Neptune and has lived off and on at the 416 Myrtle Ave. house for about 15 to 20 years- a house that was destroyed by fire.
“I’m blessed by God because me and my family were not there at the time of the fire and no one was injured,” Sister Isis said. “I am also blessed because my family, friends and church have opened their doors to me and everyone has uplifted my spirits.”
Sister Isis, 65, was living in the house with her son, daughter and her adopted son when fire destroyed everyone’s personal items. The family has no insurance.
Sister Isis said she is now staying with friends but expects to be reunited with her family members in a new residence soon.
The Neptune resident was given her rather unique name by a minister when she was leaving an abusive husband and needed to have her identity changed.
“I was one of the women who ran,” she said.
Sister Isis was also very proud of her collection of African drums that she frequently used to educate local children about music.
“I have been involved with the drums for a long time and teach the children because they get intrigued with them,” she said.
In particular, she said she will miss an ancient African bass drum burned in the fire.
I doubt I will ever get anything like that back,” she said.
But Sister Isis admits that she is very blessed by her friends- who also happen to be planning some events to help her get back on her feet.
Rhonda Manno, co-owner of Giamano’s restaurant at 301 Main St. in Bradley Beach, said she has known Sister Isis for years and is planning a fund-raiser in February.
“She has been a friend of mine for many years and we have only grown closer over the years,” she said.
Manno said she has spoken with Sister Isis frequently since the fire and is happy that she is safe and staying with friends.
“I am going to put a fund-raiser together for her,” she said.
Manno said her restaurant is closed for most of January and that the fund-raiser will be in February but probably at a larger venue than Giamano’s.
The restaurant has been involved in feeding the homeless and doing similar charitable events for years. Anyone wanting to make a donation now can telephone Manno at 732-890-0294.
“This woman is somebody that is so giving. She has such a positive spirit and is always ready to help,” she said.
Manno said she is sure Sister Isis is crushed over the loss of her personal property but particularly the African drums.
“She treasured those most of all. I would especially like to see those replaced. She is a wonderful woman and deserves all the help she can get,” she said.
Dianna Harris, a Neptune community organizer and president of the Neptune Midtown Urban Renaissance Corporation (MURC), said that Sister Isis is “a real community person.”
“She is very much wrapped up in people, particularly children. She does a lot of charitable work and everybody knows who Sister Isis is,” she said.
Harris said she will work with Manno and others to come up with some ways to raise money to help Sister Isis get on with her life. Donations jars have already been placed in local businesses to raise money.
“The reality is you need money to restart your life and we are asking people to donate. People should support Sister Isis because she always supported the community in various ways,” she said.
Harris said Sister Isis has organized block parties, worked with the National Night Out Against Crime, supported the Asbury Park Community Center, and been involved in many MURC functions.
“She even organized a program where mothers could release their frustrations by banging on drums,” she said.
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