Isobel Jones

Isobel was born in River John, Pictou Co, NS on September 2, 1938, to Kenneth and Margaret MacLean. As a young girl she was a caregiver to her younger siblings, performed chores on the family farm in West Branch and became a national award winning 4-H member. Isobel left home at age 15 to attend Pictou Academy. After graduation she attended the Atlantic Christian Training Centre for one year until she reached the minimum age to attend the VG Hospital School of Nursing (class of ‘59B).

She was elected Class Secretary, earned the bedside nursing award and continued to meet with her nursing classmates for 65 years. Isobel loved being a nurse. She took care of mothers and babies at the Grace Maternity / IWK Hospital for 40 years. On her retirement in 1998, she was awarded an honorary lifetime board membership on the IWK Board of Directors in recognition of her years of service.

In addition to her professional achievements, Isobel was a beacon of courage and perseverance through hardship. At age 35 she selflessly began caring for her husband with ALS. Four years later, she lost both her father and husband and started her journey of raising four children, ages four to sixteen alone. She survived breast cancer twice and began another battle with cancer at age 80 which she fought for almost seven years. Despite these challenges, Isobel remained the calm in the eye of the storm. She never complained, remained optimistic and modelled resilience without ever drawing any attention to herself.

The strong Christian faith that she developed from a young age defined her character. Isobel volunteered tirelessly for multiple organizations and was a lifetime member of the Woodlawn UCW. She approached every relationship with grace, kindness, peace and wisdom. As a nurse she was caring and gentle; as a sister, mother and friend she was a patient, loyal confidante. But being a grandmother was her superpower. Grammy’s pride, love and excitement for each of her grandchild’s and great-grandchild’s lives and accomplishments were evident to all who knew her. Her home is filled with memories; her care and compassion will live on through her grandchildren. Her ability to selflessly and unconditionally love is her legacy.

Isobel dedicated her life to her family, and we are all better people because of her love and commitment to us. She is survived by her son Doug (Julie) of Val-des-Mont QC, and his sons MacLean and Douglas Jones, and their mother Christine Jones; her son Greg (Carol) of North River NS, and their children Kelsey (Zach) Withrow, Kristi (Sergio) Garrido, Courtney, and Abby Jones; her daughter Heather Jones of Woodstock NB, and her children Jared (Michelle), Kirsten, and Tyler MacFadgen, and their father Craig MacFadgen; and her daughter Suzanne (Shane) of Cole Harbour NS, and their children Lauren, Lindsey, and Jake Wamboldt. She is also survived by her sisters Ruth Baillie and Sharon (Donnie) Gunn, as well as her great-grandchildren Andie, Bowen, and Cole Withrow, and Adelina and Luca Garrido. Isobel also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews. Isobel is predeceased by her husband, Gilbert Jones; her infant twin brother and sister; her brother Grant MacLean; her sister Kathleen Sutherland; her brothers-in-law Fletcher Baillie and Carmen Sutherland; and her sister-in-law Jean MacLean.

Visitation will take place at Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland Street, Dartmouth on Sunday, July 13, 2025, from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. A funeral service will be held at Woodlawn United Church with Rev. Kevin Little officiating on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 2pm. Committal will immediately follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, with a reception afterward in Woodlawn Church Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Margaret’s House in Dartmouth or the Canadian Cancer Society.