Isabel was born in Outlook, Sask. on September 4th, 1921 to Lily and Hugh Patterson and passed away peacefully on Friday, January 21st, 2011 at the age of 89 with her husband and daughters by her side.
Isabel will always be alive in the happy memories of her family and friends and is survived by her loving husband of 67 years Emerson (Blonde), daughters Phyllis (Bill Rapanos), Linda, and Carole (Pieter) Matthijsse. Her grandchildren - who were the light of her life - Hanna, Anders and Jenna Matthijsse, will also sadly miss her, as will her half-brother Ross (Babs) Patterson, sisters-in-law Freda Patterson and Olga Moore, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Her only son Robert (Bob) predeceased her in 2004.
Isabel and Emerson were introduced to each other when “he was 4 and she was 2”. In 1944 Isabel traveled from Outlook to Victoria where they were married. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Nelson where Emerson got a job with the CPR and in 1946 they started their family. In October 2008 Isabel and Emerson moved to a seniors facility in North Vancouver, and although she missed Nelson and all her friends there, she was happy to be closer to Phyllis and Linda, and Carole was an easy flight away. She was a wonderful Mum who loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally.
Isabel was a water lover extraordinaire, whether it meant swimming in the Saskatchewan River as a kid, to the aquatic center in Nelson, or 60 years of summers at Christina Lake – this was her passion. The kitchen was the hub of our home and Isabel will always be remembered for her hospitality and famous gingersnap cookies. During her 65 years in Nelson she made friends easily and cherished her special friendship with Ruth Chambers, Bobby Gutwin and Phyllis Stanley. As well as being a homemaker, Isabel worked at Ramsay’s Camera Store for 22 years, retiring in 1981.
Isabel was the centre of our world. Her beautiful smile came easily and she had one for everyone she came into contact with. We will miss her smile, her laughter, her quick wit and the mischievous twinkle in her eyes, and look back on the many wonderful times we had together. We were blessed to have her in our lives and a gathering to celebrate and honour her life will be held at a future date.
Special thanks to the incredible staff at Sunrise of Lynn Valley who treated Mum with such gentleness, respect and kindness; it meant so much to us.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Isabel’s memory to the
Alzheimer’s Society of BC, #300-828 West 8th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1E2
or the Parkinson Society of BC, #600-890 West Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1J9, would be appreciated.