E. ISOBEL SCURFIELD

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E. ISOBEL SCURFIELD 1902 - 2002 The family of Isobel (Fraser) Scurfield are sorry to announce her passing, at the age of 100 years, at the Victoria General Hospital on June 30, 2002. Predeceased by her husband Jack in 1974, by her brothers, Jack, Stan, and George; and her sisters, Merle and Mabel; and by her grandsons, Duncan and Mark Norrie, she leaves to mourn her daughters, Beverley (Mac) Watts, Helen (Bill) Norrie, and Janet (Larry) Gould, all of Winnipeg. She will also be sincerely missed by her grandchildren, Maggie Watts-Hammond (Iain) of Vancouver, Martin (Lila), Gordon (Adrienne), and Peter (Julie) Watts of Winnipeg, Dr. Fraser Norrie (David Clarke) of Vancouver, Sheila Norrie of Winnipeg, Rachel Gould of Toronto, Joshua Gould of California, Sarah Gould of Toronto (presently in Madagascar), Matthew Gould, presently in Japan, and Simon Gould of Winnipeg. She also leaves 10 great-grandchildren, Emma and Robin Hammond of Vancouver, Hayley, Lauren, Alexandra, Bronwyn, and Aidan Watts of Winnipeg, and Allison, Jennifer, and Cameron Norrie of Winnipeg. Isobel was born on the family farm in Hamiota, MB on April 9, 1902, the youngest child of Hugh and Helen Fraser. The family moved to Winnipeg in 1909 and lived on McDermot Avenue. Isobel graduated from the Provincial Normal School and taught for several years in Winnipeg and Dundee, Scotland before her marriage. She always thought of herself as a teacher. She met her husband, a fellow teacher, Jack Scurfield in Machray School. They married in 1930. Isobel was a natural athlete and swam and canoed well into her 90s. In her many summers at the M.L.A. Camp on Lake of the Woods, where her husband was Camp Manager for over 20 years, she acted as a gracious hostess, and enthusiastic participant in all activities, and an exceptional swimming instructor. In latter years, she thoroughly enjoyed spending her summers at Elephant Island, her daughter and son-in-laws island on Lake of the Woods. She was an active member of Crescent Fort Rouge United Church for over 60 years, and previously of St. Pauls United Church. She was specially active with the Womens Missionary Society and for many years gave regular talks at church on United Church missionaries overseas. She also acted as Sunday School superintendent and was a strong supporter of the United Church Women. Isobel took great pride and delight in the lives and activities of her daughters, their families and her great-grandchildren to whom she was known as "Nana". She was a loyal correspondent with many of the family who were living away and wrote regularly even after she was afflicted with failing eyesight. She enjoyed gardening and lived in the same family home for over 65 years. The family would like to thank the staff on the 3rd and 5th floors of Victoria Hospital and express special appreciation to Isobels long time caregiver, Mrs. Elizabeth McBride. Flowers gratefully declined. Friends wishing to honour her may want to contribute to the J.M. Scurfield Memorial Scholarship Fund of Churchill School in care of the Winnipeg Foundation, 1350-1 Lombard Ave., to the Endowment Fund of Crescent Fort Rouge United Church, 525 Wardlaw Ave., R3L 0L9 or to the Special Services Branch at the Winnipeg Public Library. A memorial service will take place in Crescent Fort Rouge United Church, Wardlaw and Nassau on Wednesday, July 3 at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Gordon Harland officiating. Interment will follow at a later time in Elmwood Cemetery.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 03, 2002