Spicer, Isabella "Isabel"

Isabella "Isabel" Dickson Spicer (nee Baird), passed away peacefully in St. Joseph's Hospice on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the age of 91 years.

Isabel was born on February 14, 1920 in Fort William, Ontario to parents Christina Reid Baird and Sgt. Andrew Bruce Baird. She lived for many years in Westfort with her family and was employed at Canada Car during the war, working in the fabrication department building planes.

She married Fred Spicer in 1950 and started their family in their first home on Rankin Street. Soon after, they bought some land at Lake Lenore, where they built the family camp and spent a great deal of time there enjoying the lake and the peaceful woods of Northern Ontario.

Isabel gave up her working career to devote all her time to her children, encouraging them in all their interests and giving them her love and support in every way.

She had an artistic flair and over the years enjoyed oil painting, jewellery making and all types of needlecrafts. All of her grandchildren had hand-knitted sweaters and she made beautiful afghans for the family, all crafted with love and a great deal of care. She volunteered with the Cancer Society and encouraged by her special niece Sheila, stitched together nearly 500 afghans that were given to the patients of Tamarack House.

Her other interests were gardening and baking. She spent hours in the kitchen producing favourites like scones, butter tarts and other goodies. The grandchildren and nephews always reminded her about the gingerbread boys that she baked especially for them every Christmas.

Isabel was predeceased by her beloved husband Frederick H. Spicer, brother Jimmy Baird, step-brother William (Scotty) Baird, step-sister Elizabeth Ryan, brothers and sisters-in-law in the Spicer family and other relatives.

She is survived by children Eileen (Rick) Szyja, Bruce Spicer, Philip (Catherine) Spicer, her precious grandchildren Wayne, Shanlee and Cale Spicer, nieces Sheila (David) Coslett and Muriel Brown and nephew Andrew (Terri) Baird, sisters-in-law Shirley Spicer and Anne Spicer and many other nieces and nephews, their families and relatives in England and Scotland.

Cremation has taken place and Funeral Services for the late Mrs. Isabella Spicer will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 Gore St. West at James. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to service time.

In memory of Isabel, please cherish your loved ones every day, do a good deed for someone whenever you can and take the time to appreciate all the simple things in life, as she did. If desired, a donation to St. Joseph's Hospice would be appreciated by the family.