Isabel May Morrison (nee Dempster), born March 13, 1922 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, died peacefully on December 07, 2020 at The Summit in Victoria, BC. A born athlete, she was the Captain of the Volleyball Team at Gordon Bell High School in Winnipeg and an award-winning speedskater. In 1936, Isabel was named the Champion Speedskater of Manitoba and traveled many times to the USA to skate with the Olympic Champions. Unfortunately, due to the war years, she did not have the opportunity to represent Canada at the Olympics. She met her husband, Donald Ross Morrison, during a tennis match in Winnipeg. They were married on March 13, 1943 in New Westminster, BC.
Beginning their life together, Don and Isabel farmed in Cloverdale and Langley, BC. Isabel’s resourcefulness sent her riding her bike into Cloverdale City to work as a bookkeeper in addition to scraping chicken boards for 25 cents an hour! In 1948 they moved to Victoria, BC., and bought their first home. Isabel soon became the number one decorator by sewing curtains on a treadle sewing machine, painting and was a master wallpaper hanger! Isabel worked hard to make the family home welcoming and beautiful. Christmas was a special time. Somehow in the night, the tree lights magically turned on and the family fun times began! Birthdays were also a special time.
In 1956, Isabel began working outside of the home, first in a small local store followed by being hired to work in the personnel department at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Isabel was successful in her work and soon became the department’s Personnel Director. She was part of the movement to bring Philippine nurses to Victoria hospitals in the late 1960s. Her last position, before retirement, was the Director of Volunteer Services at the Gorge Road Hospital. Retirement gave her the freedom to travel the world.
Isabel was social. She made lifelong friends at work and in her neighbourhood. Isabel had a large group of Scottish and English friends that she maintained for many years through the Imperial Dance Club. She hosted a ‘Sewing Bee’ of about six ladies for many years. She was a member of the Eastern Star and Knox Presbyterian Church. Isabel volunteered at the cancer dressing station at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. She also volunteered at the Oak Bay Lodge well into her 90’s. Isabel especially enjoyed the sing-along nights at the Lodge. Isabel was also a loyal and regular visitor to Tim Horton’s on Cedar Hill and Shelbourne. At the age of 97, she regularly walked from her Saanich home to her favourite Timmy’s where she met up with friends, family, and making new friends along the way.
Isabel was the loving, supportive mother of four children: Mary (Barrie), Margaret (Ron), William ‘Bill’ (Lesley), and Robert ‘Bob’ (Sally); ten grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren. Isabel took her grandchildren on holidays that included travel to Bermuda, Hawaii, Disneyland, Australia and across Canada.
Isabel was predeceased by her parents Charles Dempster and Mae Hendry, her two sisters, Margaret and Jean and their spouses, her husband, Donald Ross Morrison, in 1983, two grandchildren, infant Donald Morrison in 1980 and Karin Eastman in 2011, her son Robert in 2019 (Australia) and her special friend Larry Brooks in 2011.
A private graveside service was held on December 11, 2020 at Royal Oak Burial Park. In lieu of flowers please, consider making a donation to the Eldercare Foundation (gvef.org) to help seniors needing support during the COVID pandemic or to a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Isabel May Morrison March 13 1922December 7 2020..
mccall gardens funeral and cremation service
Death notice for the town of: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique