PETERSEN, ISABEL (IZZY) ROSANA (ROWE) 83, died peacefully at home on May 20th. Predeceased by her parents William George and Isabella Maud (Bill and Belle) (Marriot) Rowe; husband Peter Petersen. Isabel is survived by her five daughters Kathi Petersen, Wendi Petersen, Bonnie Petersen, Heidi Petersen, and Trudi (Petersen) Inglis; her grandchildren Carlton, Danna, and Anika (Montreal); Felipe and Capitu (Ottawa); and Shani, Jacqui, and Mitchell (Mader's Cove); her dear brother-in-law Sig Petersen; nieces, nephews, and her beloved sister, constant companion, and partner in crime Carol (Rowe) Grantham.
Isabel filled her life with music. As a child she performed on Your Children Sing (CHNS) and later in the Armdale Girls Chorus under Mary Dee Girroir. She was choir director at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection for 50 years and organist for almost 40 and directed the Bethany Chorale after the passing of her friend Donna (Daniels) Dodge. Isabel was a strong supporter of the public music education program in Halifax under Chalmers Doane, was a long-time volunteer ukulele teacher and performed in the adult ensemble. She was avidly interested in, supported, and encouraged the music, education, creativity, and careers not only of her own children and grandchildren, but also those of her sister's children and grandchildren, attending countless performances and graduations, applauding for and believing in us all.
Isabel was a devoted and active member of her church congregation. In addition to her decades as musical director, she taught Sunday School, participated in Luther League, Resurrection Lutheran Women, the quilting group, Halifax Women's Inter-Church Council (including two years as president), and knitted many, many prayer shawls and baby sweaters for Canadian Lutheran World Relief. She also volunteered serving the seniors' lunch for Chebucto Links.
A talented artist, Isabel expressed her creativity through her painting and handcrafts, supporting the antics of her husband Peter by sewing the family Natal Day Parade costumes. She had a strong interest in law and first began legal studies at Kitz Matheson under the tutelage of Leonard Kitz, then mayor of Halifax. After raising her children, she returned to work at Patterson Kitz as a paralegal. She loved to travel, going as far as the British Isles, Scandinavia, and New Zealand, as well as her regular wanderings throughout her Maritime stomping grounds with her sister Carol.
All these things Isabel did to the glory of God. She was brave in her faith to the end, a hardworking and generous inspiration to her five girls who sorely miss her and grieve her passing. God go with you, Mum; you live on in our hearts and music.
Visitation will be at Snow's on Friday, June 2, 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m., with funeral at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, corner of Windsor and Allen Streets in Halifax, on Saturday, June 3, at 4:30 p.m. The family respectfully requests that no scents be worn due to family health issues. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection or the Parker Street Food Bank.
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