Our so beautiful, cherished and beloved Isabel, Mum & Grammy died Monday, September 22, 2014 at Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home in Halifax where she’d been living since mid May. Freed from the truly miserable prison that is Alzheimers.
Born in Halifax June 21,1923 to the late Annie (MacLean) and Omar Drysdale. Isabel attended school in Halifax and when finished high school considered herself very fortunate to have been offered a secretarial position at a downtown lawyers’ office. Not long after she met and married the love of her life - Arthur on June 23, 1945 (69+ years ago). They still enjoyed just sitting together while holding hands and listening to the old songs of the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Mum particularly liked Doo Wop.
They had 3 children (1953,1955,1960). Mum continued to work full time - caring for us at home. She sewed, knitted, baked, cooked, made white and brown bread. We were spoiled with dessert at lunch and supper not to mention the cookie tins being full when we came from school or work. Family summer road trip vacations were all memorable. From a kid’s perspective life and everything in it was very good indeed. Later in life Isabel started watercolor painting and became an artist that we’re exceedingly proud of and so very happy to have her work adorning our walls. Selfishly, we do wish she’d had more time to continue painting.
Mum so loved her grandchildren. She participated in and followed their lives with such interest. My she was so proud of the individuals they’ve become and all of their many accomplishments.
For a number of years Isabel and Arthur enjoyed excursions with their travel trailer before buying a property on the water in Malagash, NS. Many years later they sold this property and bought a motorhome in which they had great fun traveling hither and yon.
Isabel’s faith was very important to her as she was a life long member of the United Church of Canada. Through her younger years she initially attended St. John’s United where she participated in various groups and made many long lasting friendships. Mum and Dad were married in this church. When they built a house and moved to the suburbs 60 years ago they joined Rockingham United Church. For many years both Mum and Dad contributed considerable time and effort to the wellbeing of the church community.
Mum didn’t like porridge, clams and oysters. She hated and didn’t have patience for pettiness, greediness or intolerance. She especially liked ice cream, butter, whipped cream, lemon meringue pie, vegetarian pizza with bacon and a good glass of wine, yet stayed slim and trim all her life. Mum enjoyed laughing, the fall and drives to see the colored leaves, her “little red house” and hemlock tree, quiet time for reading, a good game of bridge (and winning!), peppermints, buttering the nose of friends and family on their birthday to help ensure they ‘slide’ through the following year with minimal upset, long walks with Dad, seeing and visiting with friends, family gatherings, sitting in the sun, CBC radio, spicy foods, flowers, playing softball, basketball, badminton and bowling in her younger days and the first fragrance of lilacs in spring.
Mum, like many of her generation had a repertoire of sayings that she had heard growing up from her own mother - Use your head and save your heels. Be sure your sin will find you out. Save your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves. A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still. Back to old clothes and oatmeal porridge was a favourite greeting when anyone returned from vacation. We all give a chuckle when we realize we use these sayings now as much as Mum.
Isabel is survived by those she loved so dearly: her husband Arthur, children, Paul (Jane), Yellowknife, N.W.T.; Nancy, Halifax and Barbara (Rick) Nickerson, Dartmouth. Grandchildren, Christopher (Nicholette) Nickerson, Dartmouth; Robert Nickerson, Halifax; Thomas Nickerson, Dartmouth; and Paul and Jane’s children Gregory (Lorraine) Curren, Kamloops, B.C. and Jessica Curren, Edmonton, Alberta. Her sister, Mrs. Margaret Bowering (Rev. Nathan - deceased), Halifax and her brother, Dr. Ian (Janet) Drysdale, Peterborough, Ont. Sisters-in-law Mrs. Eva Drysdale (Everett), Halifax; Mrs. Elizabeth Drysdale (Dr. Ronald - deceased), Charlottetown, P.E.I.; Mrs. Myrla Drysdale (Dr. Alan - deceased), Halifax; and Mrs. Marguerite Hine (Owen - deceased), Sidney B.C. Brother-in-law Mr. Joe Brescacin (Eva - deceased), Sault Ste. Marie Ont. Also, 18 nieces and nephews and their families.
Paul, Nancy and Barbara offer many thanks to the staff at Saint Vincent’s for such great care and attention they’ve all shown to Mum & Dad over the last 4 months and during this difficult time.
There will be no visitation. Cremation has taken place. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be published in paper when finalized.
Should you wish, a donation in Mum’s memory may be made to: The Stephen Lewis Foundation, the Grandmother’s for Grandmother’s project,
260 Spadina Ave Suite 501 Toronto ON M5T 2E4 phone 1-888-203-9990 ext 0 OR Rockingham United Church 12 Flamingo Dr Halifax, NS B3M 1S5 OR Charity of your choice.
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