1917-2009
On April 19, 2009 Isabel Mary Vane-Hunt (nee Hooper) died at Lady Minto Hospital.
Isabel was born January 12, 1917 in Reigate, England, the 4th of eight children of Edith (nee Tatton-Winter) and Vincent Hooper. After her primary education, Isabel attended Studley College studying landscape design.
In 1936, Isabel traveled to Canada as a nanny, then worked with Nellie McClung gardening during the depression. Nellie McClung mentored Isabel’s lifelong beliefs in social activism.
Isabel returned to England to attend King’s College in London to train as an RN, working as an Army nurse during WWII.
After the war, Isabel married Conhor Vane-Hunt in 1947, with whom she had 5 children, emigrating to Canada in 1957.
Isabel lived in Cloverdale, Surrey, where she served as a Girl Guide and Ranger leader. She moved to Salt Spring Island in 1973.
An active organic gardener all of her life, Isabel planted orchards, vegetable and flower gardens wherever she lived. Isabel won many trophies for her outstanding exhibits at the Salt Spring Fall Fair.
Isabel supported Amnesty International, World Wildlife Fund, Western Wilderness Committee, Salt Spring Land Conservancy, and many other social and environmental causes. She supported Cowichan Therapeutic Riding and many other charitable works. Isabel traveled extensively until her debilitating condition confined her to a scooter.
A familiar sight on her scooter around Ganges, Isabel loved the Farmer’s Market, and led a protest in the 1970’s to keep the market in Centennial Park. She was also one of the early founders of the Salt Spring Recycling Depot.
Isabel is survived by her sister Margaret; her five children: Michael, Rosamond, Mary, Caroline and Martin; grandchildren: Tarka, Jordy, Selchie, Cryano, David and William and two great-grandchildren, Amber Isabel and Devon.
The family would like to thank Drs. Holly and Hansie and Nurses Israel, Jo and Michelle for their compassionate care during Isabel’s final hours.
Special thanks to caregivers Amornrat, Josie, Evelyn, Anna, Mary Morden, Rachel, Lisa and others for their devoted care over the last two years.
‘A Time for Everything’
To everything there is a season,
And a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing:
A time to get, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.
AN ACCOIL
A potluck celebration of Isabel’s life will be held at Tasaday Farm 180 Sharp Road on Saturday, May 16th from noon onwards.
Anyone who knew or was touched by Isabel is most welcome.
Please plant something, a tree, a vegetable or a bulb in her memory.