A Passing

I just received an email that Isabel Showler passed away last Thursday morning. I interviewed Isabel and her husband Frank for my social movement history project. In fact, two friends and I interviewed them before there was any sense of a project to interview them for, and the wonderful experience of hearing their stories was one important factor that lead to me down a path that has involved interviewing 48 other long-time Canadian activists and trying to make a book out of what I heard.

Here is the notice of a memorial service from the Star, as forwarded by Toronto Action for Social Change:

SHOWLER, Margaret ''Isabel'' Alice - Died peacefully at home after a lengthy illness on Thursday, February 16, 2006 in her 85th year. Isabel was the daughter of her dear late parents John A. and Alice (nee Wright) Alexander. She was married to her beloved husband Frank Lloyd Showler for 58 years and loving mother of Stephen Showler and his wife Lynn, Carolyn Lee and her husband Robert and Ted Hoigaard, whom she treasured as her own son. She will be lovingly remembered by her 5 grandchildren. Isabel was predeceased by her brothers Stuart, Howard and Walter. She lived most of her life in Toronto and retired from her job as an Occupational Therapist at The Queen Street Mental Health Centre after 19 years. Isabel was an active member of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). There will be a Memorial Meeting at Friend's House, 60 Lowther Ave., on Saturday, February 25, 2006 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers at Isabel's request, donations can be made to the Canadian Friends Services Committee.

Throughout her long life, Isabel worked to make the world better. She will be missed.