Isobel Marie Mackay

With the assurance and joyful faith she shared with the world throughout her life, Isobel passed away peacefully on July 8th, 2022 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, surrounded by her loving family. They are all grateful to the doctors, nurses, professional caregivers and personal support team for the remarkable care she received throughout her ALS journey. Isobel’s love is carried by her husband Robert; sons Gordon, Bob, Scott, daughters-in-law, Dawn, Rebecca, Tegan and dearest grandchildren; Callum, Ewan, Evan, Sarah, Gavin, Kyla and Ian.

Born on the beautiful Isle of Arran in Scotland to parents Gilbert and Peggy McKinnon, Isobel lived out an extraordinary childhood alongside her beloved sister and brothers Margaret, James, Hugh and Gilbert. Their close family bonds would last a lifetime, span continents and become the deeply meaningful legacy for their own children and grandchildren to inherit and enjoy. Isobel’s lifelong passion for hospitality, her heart for service and the joy she found in nature, took shape during those formative years while growing up in the seaside family-owned hotel and walking the beautiful wild glens of her Father’s sheep farm in nearby North Sannox.

Isobel nursed in Glasgow for several years and then immigrated to Canada with the love of her life, Bob Mackay. Together they raised three boys in a home that was alive with Christian values, filled with laughter, love and a deeply rooted sense of family. The close relationship with God she felt since childhood, would inspire her to find pure joy in the smallest and grandest parts of life. Isobel could see God's sacred presence deeply embedded within the everyday and would always take time to be grateful for the gift of each morning and the people she shared her day with. She especially reveled in the opportunity to be in the company of family and friends and delight them with the goodness of her culinary and extraordinary baking skills. Ohh, the shortbread...

Never one to sit on the sidelines, Isobel’s love for the Lord also sparked a lifelong passion to volunteer and support the needs of many food banks, shelters, mission groups and youth based initiatives within the community she called home at the time. Despite having moved eight times in her life, Isobel’s commitment to help was as constant as her spirit was warm and generous. She profoundly touched us all with her love, hopefulness and joy.

‘You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’ Psalm 16:11

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 from 7- 9pm at JA Snow’s Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax.

A funeral service celebrating Isobel’s life will be held on Friday 11am, July 15, 2022 at Bedford Baptist Church, 158 Rocky Lake Dr. Bedford NS.

Interment following the service at Brookside Bedford Community Cemetery, Wardour St., Bedford NS.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the ALS Society of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia - (902)-454-3636 or online www.alsnbns.ca via Canada Helps), or Beacon House Food Bank – (902)-864-3025 or online www.beaconhouse.org