Jul 20, 2022
Denise talks to internationally competitive ice dancer, once ranked 12th in the world, and Olympian Isabella Tobias Lites, who also happens to be her daughter-in-law—or daughter-in-love, as she affectionately dubbed her. Isabella is married to Denise's son, Sam.
With so much accomplished in 30 short years, Isabella has a plenitude of proud moments. She’s most proud of three things: her children, solid relationships with friends and family and the fact that she’s always been able to remain true to herself. She feels fortunate to have parents who never wanted her to lose herself in her skating career. Their love and commitment inspired her to maintain her sense of self, eventually leading her to return to college and finish her degree which she put on hold to pursue professional athletics.
Her choice to end her athletic career happened amid dark and difficult circumstances. “As a figure skater it’s your job to make things look effortless and glamorous and there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes that people don’t see.” Again, she credits her support network with helping her overcome her sadness and rechanneling her energy into her studies at SMU.
Isabella’s confidence comes from an inner resolve and a strong sense of self-worth. Like her mother-in-law, she loves fiercely and deeply. The two women share a special bond and a friendship that comes from a shared love of family, and a perspective that adding in-laws to a family reflects the group’s expansion, and the greater possibility of even more love.
Tied for first place as her favorite Detroit moment, not surprisingly, are the first time she met Sam at Comerica Park and their fairy tale wedding celebration at the Fox Theatre.
Mother and Daughter-in-Love wrap up their heartwarming conversation with advice for new moms and new grandparents. Isabella says remember to, “give yourself some grace.”
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Representing both Israel and Lithuania, internationally competitive ice dancer and Olympic competitor Isabella Tobias Lites is a native New Yorker. From 1999 to 2007 she attended the George Balanchine School of American Ballet and performed with the New York City Ballet. Having moved to Michigan to pursue a skating career, she met her future husband, Samuel Lites, whom she married in 2017. In 2019, Tobias Lites finished her undergraduate degree at Southern Methodist University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, Phi Beta Kappa, the Robert Stewart Hyer Society, and graduated with honors in May 2020. She lives with her husband and two sons in Detroit.
Denise Ilitch, an owner of Ilitch Family Companies and President of Ilitch Enterprises, has been a part of Detroit’s business and philanthropic community for over 40 years. As a mother, lawyer, entrepreneur, devoted community servant and tireless advocate for women and children, she learned early, from her father, that everyone is worthy of contributing to the world. Her passion for affordable, accessible, quality education stems from her own experience as a first-generation student, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, where she currently serves on the Board of Regents, and a law degree from the University of Detroit Law School.
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