Isobel MacPherson

February 15, 2024

Isobel Macpherson, nee Panayotou, December 6^th, 1923 – February 15^th, 2024

Just weeks following her 100^th birthday party, our Mum, Granny, Great-Granny, Aunt and friend passed away peacefully of complications from kidney and heart disease at the Salvation Army Rotary Hospice House in Richmond, BC. She was in fine fettle at her party and was so happy to see all her children, grandchildren (bar one who was expecting Isobella in Toronto) and great-grandchildren as well as many of her nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by her loving husband Johnny, in December 2002, her sister Helen, brothers Andy and George and son-in-law Billy May. Isobel is survived by her sons Angus (Judi), Stewart (Suzy), daughters Margaret (Billy), Linda (Peter), grandchildren Neil (Heather), Katey (Steve), Stuart (Emily), Ryan, Megan (Kohle), and Elizabeth (Chris). She is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren – Lewis, Callum, Aidan, Clare, George, Kieran, Blake, Isobella and another little one is due in March. Lastly, she leaves behind many nephews and nieces in Canada, America, Spain, Ireland, France and Scotland, as well as cousins in Greece.

Isobel was born in Glasgow, Scotland on December 6^th, 1923 to her Greek father Athanasios Panayotou, from the Island of Ikaria and her Irish mother, Margaret McClintock from County Antrim. She grew up on Argyle Street in Glasgow before moving to Clarkston, and later Stamperland, in Renfrewshire. In April 1966 she packed up her 4 children and emigrated to New Westminster, BC. (Her husband, Johnny, had flown over a couple of months earlier.) She arrived to an instant family courtesy of Johnny’s two sisters and their families.

Soon the MacPhersons settled on Edinburgh Street in New Westminster where they continued raising their family for 25 years before moving first to Port Coquitlam and then back to New Westminster.

Whilst in Canada, Johnny and Isobel enjoyed many holidays together, 6 cruises in fact, as well as trips to Greece, Scotland, Spain, Central Canada and the Maritimes and one of their favourites, Qualicum Beach. The annual holidays in Scotland included many stays down the Clyde Coast. They also enjoyed pitch and putt at Burnaby’s Central Park and playing crib together.

If one word could sum up Isobel’s (Isa’s) life it would be family. While Johnny was alive their unwavering support of their children and grandchildren included soccer games, pipe band events, Highland Games, dancing competitions, Burns’ Suppers, babysitting and her weekly, (without fail) Sunday dinners.  This continued even after Johnny passed away and would have included her great-grandchildren if she were mobile enough.                      

Isobel held a variety of jobs over the years which, more often than not, resulted in another group of close friends.

For the past 5 ½ years Isobel was living in an independent care home in Steveston before moving into palliative care and finally hospice.

We’re all sad to say goodbye, but are so happy she left us peacefully and with minimal discomfort, and 100 years is definitely not a bad run.

We hope she’s chatting away with Johnny as we speak and is working on getting the ball up in the air with that 5 wood.

Miss you.

PS  The family will be holding a “virtual” memorial. Time to be announced.

You are invited to leave a personal message for the family.

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