GLADYS ISOBEL HEAL (COOK)

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GLADYS ISOBEL HEAL (nee COOK) After a life well lived, Isobel Heal died peacefully at the Portage and District General Hospital on December 15, 2005. Born on January 24, 1926 at her family's High Bluff farm, Isobel was the fourth daughter of Margaret (Greenlay) and Moffat Cook. After attending Dale and High Bluff Schools, she completed high school in Portage la Prairie. Isobel was proud to be a registered nurse. She finished with class '49B' at the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing. Known affectionately as Cookie , she remained close to her classmates over the ensuing 56 years. She later studied public heath nursing at University of Manitoba. During the early 1950s Isobel travelled to many parts of Manitoba as a public health nurse for the Manitoba Cancer Institute. In the course of helping dispel myths about cancer, she made acquaintance with a great many Manitobans. Isobel's husband Geoff predeceased her in 2004. They married in 1956, several months after a blind date arranged by her brother Ted. Together they had three daughters, Trudy, Margaret (Peter Hughes) and Annette. There are three grandsons, Samuel, Robert and Geoffrey. For many years Isobel worked with Geoff at their family business. As well as being a homemaker, Isobel was involved in her community, Portage la Prairie. In the early 1970s she served on the committee that founded Portage Daycare, the first daycare centre in town, and the Take a Break group for mothers. She was the first civilian to teach at the Portage Correctional Centre. She was active in the CGIT movement, and believed passionately in the value of the summer camp experience for children. Over the years, she served on the Boards of Camps Jubilee, Totogan and Jackson Lake in addition to leading camp sessions. Isobel enjoyed her large extended family and many dear friends. Predeceased by her sisters Ruby Laporte and Louise Cook, she remained close to her sister Betty Stephen, her brother Ted Cook and his wife, Evelyn. She cherished her nieces and nephews. Isobel always took a keen interest in other people and their lives and always found time for a visit. She was a good friend. Rather than flowers, Isobel's family would prefer that donations in her memory be made to CancerCare Manitoba or the ALS Society, and earmarked for 'clinical care'. In accordance with Isobel's wishes, no funeral service will be held. Friends and relatives are invited to a drop-in luncheon to honour Isobel's life at the St. Mary's Anglican Church hall at 36 - 2nd Street SW in Portage la Prairie between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21. Arrangements are by Ronald Moffit Memorial Services - 1 (204) 856-3487.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 17, 2005