Lee Carol (Isenberg) Saltz

Lee Carol Isenberg Saltz, 81, of Newtown, wife of George James Saltz, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2026.

Lee was born on June 13, 1944, and spent her childhood in Newton, MA, daughter of the late Thelma and Abe Isenberg. Before moving to Newtown, Lee was a Ridgefield resident for 45 years.

Lee graduated from Boston University in 1967 with a degree in education. In 1979, after working in an elementary school for several years, she joined her husband in the fuel business, and together they created New England Self-Serve, Inc., a corporation that operated gasoline stations throughout the state of Connecticut. Lee was the ever-present, smiling face that greeted customers at the A-1 Gas Station in Ridgefield that she ran until 1986. She was a mentor and confidant to many of her employees over the years, some of them even affectionately referring to her as “Mom”. She touched the lives of many teenagers and young adults starting out in the workforce, guiding them and helping them become capable, confident professionals. Their children Greg and Erica joined the family business, and in 2002 they shifted the focus from the kiosk-style gasoline franchises into NESS Automotive, a full service truck upfitting facility in Danbury, CT.

Lee was an incredibly involved mother to her children, present at every school function and attending many swim meets and hockey games through their youth.

She also contributed significantly to Parkinson’s research. After her Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis in 1997, she became an an active participant in countless studies and clinical trials. She never let her diagnosis define her.

In addition to being a successful business owner and vibrant member of the Ridgefield community, Lee was a brilliant, feisty woman with impeccable fashion, sharp wit, and an abiding love of chocolate milkshakes. She also enjoyed the occasional motorcycle ride.

Lee is survived by George, her husband of over fifty-five years. She was the beloved mother of Erica (Saltz) Cuddeback and Greg Saltz, grandmother to Trevor Cuddeback and Fiona Saltz, and mother-in-law to Craig Cuddeback and Rebecca (Dimyan) Saltz. She also leaves behind many family members, as well as a vast number of friends that became part of her chosen family.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, April 4, 2026 from 1pm-4 pm at Kane Funeral Home located at 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lee Carol (Isenberg) Saltz, please visit our floral store.