Obituary of Isabelle Nelson

It is with great sadness that the family of Isabelle (Long) Nelson announce the passing of their mother on the morning of August 29. Isabelle leaves to mourn her loving husband of 67 years, Randy Nelson. Her five children: Helen (Jude), Fred (Janet), Byron (children Conor and Severn {Ben}), Carolyn, ( Bruce and children: Bethany {Warren}, Matthew, and Samuel),Nancy (Kenneth and children Amy{Chris}and Ashley). Isabelle was predeceased by her parents Harold and Vera Long, her brother Alfred, and her infant brother Harold. Isabelle was born in Naicam, Sask on November 1, 1928 and lived there and went to school from grade one to grade twelve. The Long family moved to Saskatoon in the fall of 1946 and Isabelle completed her grade twelve at Bedford Road Collegiate. While at Bedford Road she took part in a play called Sunday Cost Five Pesos. In the fall of 1947 she went to Normal School where she met the love of her life, Randy Nelson. Isabelle and Randy took neighbouring schools in the Elbow area where she taught school for one year. On December 30, 1948 she and Randy were married earning the princely wages of $1300 each per year. Talk about being adventurous! Together Isabelle and Randy moved to two other rural schools: one near Invermay and the other near Melfort as well as to two small towns: Spalding and Simpson. They were soon having adventures in other ways: the babies came thick and fast. Before Isabelle was twenty-four years old there were three little Nelsons running around the teacherage. When Randy completed his BEd degree in 1958 they moved to Yorkton where they lived for twenty-five years. It was here that Isabelle became involved in community work. She became an active member of the United Church Women, the United Church Choir and Sunday school, Beta Sigma Phi, and the NDP. As well, she thoroughly enjoyed bowling in a women’s league. But most of all she enjoyed the coffee afterwords. As well as being so busy serving her community, Isabelle raised her five children and used her talent to tastefully decorate her home at Lincoln Avenue in Yorkton. She ran a private kindergarten out of the Lincoln Avenue house for several years. (She taught many children to count by having them pick dandelions and carefully count them out!) As if all that activity weren’t enough, between 1975 and 1982 Isabelle knocked on half the doors in Yorkton during three elections. Isabelle’s work was instrumental in Randy’s winning two out of the three elections. Following their loss in the 1982 election, Isabelle and Randy moved to Saskatoon where they have lived for thirty-three years. Once again Isabelle became active in several community organizations: Beta Sigma Phi, volunteering at the Western Development Museum, Luther Care Home, and the NDP. While doing volunteer work at Luther Care Home and the WDM she renewed interested in making soft dolls/rag dolls. Each of her daughters, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters at the time received a soft doll. And once again her talents for home decorating came to the fore. All three of the residences Mom and Dad owned were beautifully decorated as a result of Isabelle’s talented, artistic eye and hand. For the last four and one half years she and Randy have lived at the Palisades Retirement Residence where they have made many warm friends. The family would like to thank the staff and the many friends there for the support and friendship given to our parents. We would also like to thank the many other friends they have made over the years who have continued to provide encouragement and love, especially since none of their five children live in Saskatoon. Isabelle was full of sparkle and constantly blessed others with her wonderful sense of humour even as her health was failing her. She delighted in many things: dolls, teddy bears, cats, chocolate—but her greatest delight was always her dear Randy and her family. She loved us all generously and faithfully and always with a sweet and pure acceptance so that our relationship with her was direct and uncomplicated, a gift simply to be enjoyed. A bright light has gone out in the world and she will be greatly missed. The funeral service will be held at the Saskatoon Funeral Home at 338- 4th Avenue North at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 3rd. We would like to thank Morgan Edwards at the Saskatoon Funeral Home for the wonderful service and assistance at this sorrowful time. Instead of flowers we would request that those wanting to donate to Isabelle’s memory please contribute to Parkinson Canada or to the Heart and Stroke fund.