Obituary of Isabel Mary Steeves

Isabel Mary (Smith) Steeves It is with great sadness that the family of Isabel Mary (Smith) Steeves wish to announce her peaceful passing on November 9, 2020. Born in 1933 on Port Hood Island, Nova Scotia, Isabel moved to Halifax as a young child. She graduated from Queen Elizabeth High school and went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. Marrying Harold in 1955, they were subsequently blessed with three sons. In the next two decades Isabel and her family lived in many localities: Windsor, Nova Scotia; Redding, New York; Waldwick, New Jersey; Mississauga, Ontario and finally one of her favorite places, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia where each of her sons graduated from high school. Isabel was a bundle of energy working at a Lunenburg medical office and volunteering in numerous roles at the hospital and church. Most recently she was a member of Bethany United Church where she served on several committees and volunteered at many church functions. Isabel adored playing bridge and hosted enough games that it justified having five different coffee makers. She valued being active and enjoyed curling, golf, cross country skiing, sailing with her boys and travelling. Isabel was an avid reader and loved to follow politics of any kind. She continued to take courses at university into her 80’s and was never afraid to take on a new experience. Family was always the most important aspect of Isabel’s life and she maintained connections with her siblings, in-laws and their children regardless of where they were located around the world. She spent much time ensuring family remained connected and was always eager to host family events. Her ultimate joy was her role of “nanny” to her four grandchildren for whom she would truly do anything. She was always eager to spend time with them and treasured every minute she had with them. Her “sweethearts” were the triumph of her life. Her role in their lives will never be replaced. Also central to the pleasures of Isabel’s activities were her friends. Wherever she was, she forged deep and lasting friendships. She was expert at carrying on a conversation and could make anyone feel at ease in any social situation. She loved to laugh and never let the absence of fact dissuade her from a strong argument or let the incompleteness of a question stop her from answering prior to its completion. Isabel cherished the companionship of her peers, missed those that had passed and will miss those that survive her. Isabel is predeceased by her husband Harold (d.2009) and her son David (d.2019). She is survived by her sons Herb (Mary) of Halifax and Jeff (Francine) of Rothesay, her grandchildren Hilary, Kathleen, Alexander and Jonathon as well as her brothers Earl(Joan) of Ottawa, Ontario and Cameron of Sussex, New Brunswick. Isabel was adored by her many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and was adopted as an honorary Quinn in Saint John. The families will miss fighting over Isabel for the Christmas visit. Isabel gave generously to many charities throughout her life; she would be thankful if a donation were made in her memory to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, Bethany United Church (Halifax) or any other of your choosing. Cremation has taken place. Given Covid-19 precautions a celebration of life will be postponed to a later date.