October 2, 1926 – January 13, 2014
Bravely, after a life well lived. Isabelle is survived by her beloved husband Irvine; son Michael and daughters Kathleen, Alison (Greg Fyffe) and Diane (Rob Lee); grandchildren Amy, Becky, Chris, and Duncan; great-grandchildren Jason, Kara-Rose, Dakota, and Caleb. She was the daughter of Walter and Amy (Gardner) Denholm. Predeceased by brother Walter. She will be greatly missed by a large extended family and many friends. Born and raised in Vancouver, Isabelle graduated from UBC with a BA (1948) and a BSW (1949), after which she worked for several years for the Children’s Aid Society. In 1951 she married a handsome young man who had caught her eye and subsequently followed his life as a United Church minister and naval chaplain while raising a family. Post-retirement they settled in Victoria. Isabelle was strong, determined, hardworking and always busy. She lived much of her life with a needle in hand and created many beautiful quilts. A member of the Crystal Silver Streaks, she won more than 125 medals at seniors’ swimming competitions. She was also a world traveller, a genealogist, a gardener, and book club member. In earlier years she taught swimming to handicapped children. In later years she made quilts for babies of teenage mothers. She was active in the United Church throughout her life. Most recently, she was a member of Cadboro Bay United Church, where she sang in the choir. Many thanks to the friends and hospice workers who helped Isabelle through life’s last challenge. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Victoria Hospice and Victoria’s Project Literacy would be appreciated. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Cadboro Bay United Church, 2625 Arbutus Road. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Joanne A Sinclair-Muir
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Dianne Pollock Dear Irvine and family I am so sorry to hear of Isabelle’s death. I grew to admire and love her. I will miss her on Thursday mornings. at Thriftys. We always had a visit when she came to do her shopping. She brightened up my day with her smile and ready wit. My condolences to all the family. She spoke often of them all. You will all be missing her. Dianne Pollock
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Carolyn Percy-Searle To the Hare family: sending our deepest condolences on the loss of your wife, mother and grandmother. Kathy, I am so sorry to hear the news of your mother’s death. I recall meeting her a few times at your house when we were young and at your wedding at the chapel in CFB Rockcliffe. We are very sorry.
Carolyn and Craig and family
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Grant Bracewell Irvine and family
We offer our condolences at this time of your loss. My memory of our student days is awakened by Isabelle’s obituary. Our wish is that you be sustained by the life together you have had and by the family that surrounds you.
May the Lord bless in the coming days..
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Bruce Hayes Irvine,
I send you my deepest sympathy and personal support at this sad time for you and your family.
I hope the strength you have shown for so many others will be a comfort to you also.
Bruce Hayes, Ottawa.
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Richard Guitar Dear Irvine and family, on behalf of the Salty Dips Committee of the Ottawa Branch of the Naval Association of Canada, I wish to offer you our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Ruth Cairns Irvine and family,
May healing be yours,
May Light infuse your being,
May beautiful memories be sustained,
May you be gentle and loving with yourself as you have been
with so many others.
Blessings.
Ruth
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Elizabeth Shown Mills A beautiful tribute to one who spent her life enriching the lives of others. Alison, may a lifetime of wonderful memories carry you and your family through the weeks and months ahead.
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John & Valerie Rackham To Irvine,
Our heartfelt sympathy to you and all your family. The world has lost another great lady who will be sadly missed by many appreciative beneficiaries of her life and dedication to others, young and old.
God Bless you all,
John & Valerie Rackham.
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Wendell & Jan Coady Our hearts and thoughts are with you at this time of great loss. You were both such an inspiration and help to others. Hope to see you soon.
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Wendell & Jan Coady Dear Irving,
Our hearts and thoughts are with you at this time of loss.
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Jennifer Hill Dear Irv,
It is with great sadness that I read today in the newspaper about the passing of your beloved Isabelle. She was a great lady and she will be missed by many.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time of great loss.
Jennifer Hill
Your friend in Rotary
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John & Arlene Tozzi Our thoughts are with you. Like a warm hug.
Lots of LoveJohn and Arlene Tozzi
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Margaret and Bob Hosie Dear Irvine and Family:
We send our sincere condolence .Isabelle will always be with you in spirit. The memories will be a comfort and will keep her spirit with you.
God Bless.
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David McDonald Alison and family,
My prayers go with you as these next days unfold. May God’s mercy welcome your mother into Paradise and may the promise of a life well lived be fulfilled with life everlasting.
Dave
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Ian Buckingham So sorry to hear of your loss! After all the help you have provided others, Irvine,now please accept my condolences. Although, I did not know Isabelle, she appears to have been a wonderful person! So you have been well blessed!
In this time of sorrow, God bless you and all the family!
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Tony Southwell Dear Irvine:
Please know that my thoughts are with you at this difficult time. It was a privilege to know Isabelle and the inspiration she provided to so many on how to live a wonderful life full of caring for others. I know you will miss her dearly and hope you will be sustained by the many memories you have of your life together.
Kindest regards and good wishes
Tony
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Peter Chance My dear old friend Irvine
I am so sorry to read of your dear wife’s departure to the next life
Please accept my heartfelt condolences
I will be with you on the 21st
Warmest best wishes always
Peter
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Reed I Cudmore Dear Irvine and family,
Although not knowing Isabelle, I was impressed reading her bio and complete life experiences and talents. It is obvious to any reader that all of you shared a terrific and enriching life together.
May God’s grace and sustaining presence be felt by you in this time of mourning.
Yours most respectfully and sincerely,
Reed
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jack mcdonald Dear Irvine, We would like to join the numbers of people who will be saddened to have read Isabelle’s obituary this morning. It was an interesting one describing the life of an exceptional person whose interests criss- crossed so many paths during her life.
We were especially grateful to both of you for your kindness to us when we arrived in Victoria and attended Cadboro Bay United Church making many friends there who included you. .
Our hearts go out to you and your family. No matter the circumstances it is never easy to lose someone you love.
Blessings, Adele and Jack McDonald
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Judy G. Russell Alison and family, my most sincere condolences on your loss. We can all only hope to follow Isabelle’s example and merit such a lovely tribute on our own passing. “Bravely, after a life well lived” indeed.
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Dale Perkins Dear Irvine and family,
I was saddened to learn about Isabelle’s death. She was a strong presence in my life for the 12 years I ministered with both of you at Cadboro Bay United. I could always count on Isabelle being honest and direct, which was refreshing and expected. It was my pleasure to have known her these many years. I intend joining you and others at the Memorial in CBUC next Tuesday. Much love.
Dale
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Joanne fyffe and Roger Huffman Dear Alison and family
Our deepest sympathies on the loss of your mother. She so impressed us with her energy and accomplishments. I remember the lovely quilt she made for Duncan when he was younger, and the day she dropped off a beautiful big squash from her garden on my doorstep. We were delighted and very impressed with her gardening abilities! She was an impressive person and no doubt the “rock” of the family..
with love Joanne and Roger
Kathy,
I’m sorry to hear of your Mother’s death. She was really a very active lady wasn’t she! Please accept my sympathy to you and your family at this time. Thinking of you,
Sincerely,
Joanne (one of the Adm Clks from the GGFG BOR – 1976/78)