ISABELLA MARTHA MAY PROVEN

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ISABELLA MARTHA MAY PROVEN

(BUICK)

Isabella was born April 7, 1924 and passed away 99 years later on April 10, 2023, with family by her side. She will be lovingly remembered by her family and by a host of relatives, friends and community.

Isabella was the seventh child of Samuel Buick and Isabella Buick (Reekie). She grew up with seven brothers and sisters on a farm at Cranmer Siding near Waskada, in south-western Manitoba. She started her education at Addington School near Cranmer Siding and she completed her grade eleven in Basswood, while living with her eldest sister Margret Templeton. In 1946 she graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Dauphin General Hospital. She worked in several different locations until she married. In 1968 Isabella returned to her career as a Registered Nurse at the Erickson Hospital until her retirement in 1984.

On March 17, 1948 she married the love of her life, Harold Proven. They lived in Minnedosa, Rivers, Melita, Calgary and the Proven homestead at Basswood. They raised their five sons on the homestead and farmed for thirty years. Isabella’s interests were wide-ranging. She took an active part in the National Farmers Union (NFU), numerous Peace Conferences, the Marquis Project and The Rural Resource Center in Brandon. She was a member of UCW and also added her voice to choirs in Melita, Basswood and Onanole United Churches. She was a Member of the Minnedosa & Area Wife Abuse Committee. She and Harold opened their home to those in need as a safe home. She was a founding member of the Services to Seniors’ board in Erickson and Onanole. She had a Life Membership at the Onanole Drop-In-Center. In 1972 Isabella and Harold travelled to China. They were part of the first official agricultural delegation from Canada. Five years later, Isabella was an N.F.U delegate to the 15th Triennial Conference of Associated Country Women of the World in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa. As part of the conference she also travelled to Italy, Mozambique and Tanzania.

In 1990 the Provens moved to their retirement home, which Harold and their sons had built in Onanole. There was finally more time to hike, canoe, fish, garden and travel! There were many travel adventures to the West Coast, Ontario, Cuba and the USA.

Isabella was predeceased by her beloved husband, Harold in 2013 after a marriage of 65 years. She mourned the death of her fourth born son Randy in 2018. Isabella outlived her seven siblings – Margaret Templeton, Irene Drayson, Alys Pettitt and her four Buick brothers, John, David, Gordon and Allan.

She leaves to cherish her memory her sons John Buick (Noi), Garry (Rita), David (Jessie), Rick (Amy), Doug (Cindy) and 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.

Cremation has taken place. A gathering in celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, June 3rd 2023, at 2:00 pm in the Basswood Community Hall .

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South Quill Health Area Food Bank (direct deposit at southquillfoodbank@xplornet.ca) or mailing:

South Quill Health Area Food Bank

Box 86

Erickson, Manitoba

R0J 0P0

and/or Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada (action.msf.ca) or by mail at:

551 Adelaide Street West,

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

M5V 0N8

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 29, 2023