Obituaries

ISABELLE ELIZABETH LAWSON

The heart and soul of our family, our most cherished mom and grandma, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2020 at 95 years of age.

In the midst of this pandemic, Isabelle’s family was having an online jam session with her children and grandchildren from across North America. Mom was beside Jennifer, listening, singing, filled with joy, and having her tea and cookies. What a wonderful farewell!

Isabelle was born in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan on September 3, 1924. She was the youngest of 16 children born to immigrant parents from Hungary, Martha and Steve Lisik. Isabelle left home at 15, to attend Dominion Business College in Winnipeg, and was then employed with the federal government in Ottawa during The Second World War.

Isabelle met her husband Norm Lawson at a barn dance on McPhillips Street in 1943. Married on August 16, 1945, together they built the family home on Sackville Street in St. James. Their family happily grew with the addition of Jeffrey, Steven, Earl, and Jennifer.

Isabelle and Norm were community role models of social justice, long before the term was ever coined. As dedicated CCF and NDP members, they believed in equality and equity for all people, and worked tirelessly for the rights of ordinary Canadians. In 1989, Isabelle was honoured with the Manitoba NDP Pioneers Award for her service.

Isabelle faced life’s greatest challenge when she was widowed at 48, when Norm passed away suddenly. Left with four teenagers to raise, she kept us all close and on track. The fact that we all turned out pretty well is a testament to her love and guidance.

Family was everything to Isabelle, and she was always happiest at home or on travels with Jeff (June Ann), Steven (Andrea), Earl (Michele), and Jennifer (Barry). Her family was complete with her cherished grandchildren, Nathan, Stephanie (Tim), Cameron, Devon, Liam, and Jeremy who all, in turn, absolutely adored their grandma. Isabelle is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends across the country.

We would like to thank her amazing “girls” from homecare, who have cared for mom with compassion and respect, especially Leanne, Rhosel, and Jasmin, her caregivers while Isabelle lived with Jennifer the past few years. Also, a special thanks to Nancy, Dr. Alback, and the team at Deer Lodge Centre’s Prime program.

Funeral service to be determined when we are all able to be together.

In Isabelle’s memory, and in lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully accepted to support an annual award in Isabelle’s memory for a graduate of the St. James-Assiniboia School Division Continuing Education Health Care Aide program. (Cheques may be made payable to the “St. James Scholarship Foundation” with a memo re: Isabelle Lawson Award; and mailed to SJASD, 2574 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0H8.