Obituary for Isabel Barfoot
Isabel Catherine Barfoot, 80, passed away peacefully at Kingston General Hospital on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Her enormous, generous heart and contagious laughter will be forever missed.
Isabel was born on January 9, 1943 to Victor George Barfoot and Bertha Mary Barfoot (nee Curren) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Raised in Montreal, Quebec; Sussex, New Brunswick; and Toronto, Ontario, Isabel was an active member of her church’s youth group, expressing her musical side through piano, church choir, and in high school musicals.
Isabel attended Winston Churchill Collegiate and then the newly built Porter Collegiate in Scarborough. Isabel was outgoing, an organizer who was well liked, always a good listener. People talked to her knowing she could offer different points of view, always trying to lessen the load for others, always trying to help, always putting others ahead of herself. Isabel’s penchant for helping others carried into adulthood as a member of the Red Hats Society.
After graduating from Toronto Teachers’ College, Isabel started her career in Kingston as a kindergarten teacher, where she made many lifelong friendships.
Early in her career, Isabel signed on to teach the children of military personnel at the Canadian armed forces base in Hemer, Germany from 1967 to 1969 where she continued to build lifelong friendships.
Isabel returned to Kingston where she taught at Kingscourt, Balsam Grove, Duncan McArthur, Rideau, Central and J. G. Simcoe public schools.
As a Primary Education Specialist with specializations in art and music, Isabel was a dedicated teacher, always going above and beyond for both students and parents. Many of the students she taught and their parents kept in touch with her over the years.
Isabel’s retirement celebration, after decades of providing children with a solid start to their educational journey, was frozen out by the famous ice storm of 1998.
Isabel loved to travel, visiting countries throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East while she was working in Germany. Once back in Canada, she travelled south with friends including numerous laughter-filled times in Mexico.
In retirement, Isabel was an avid bridge player, sharing her passion with her friends of many years as well as her newer friends at St. Lawrence Place retirement residence on the shores of the St. Lawrence River.
Isabel’s friends were like family to her. She had friendships that spanned 60 years. Isabel shared those friendships with her relatives including her parents, her brother and his family, and her cousins.
Isabel was a devoted daughter, adoring her parents and eventually sharing her home with her elderly, widowed mother. Isabel was an incredible, caring sister to John, and an essential part of holiday celebrations.
Isabel was an “Aunt Extraordinaire,” ready to entertain, educate, and help with her brother’s (as well as cousins’ and friends’) children at every opportunity. Summers at the cottage were filled with Aunt Isabel entertaining her nieces and nephew with Rummoli, Monopoly, and cards; fishing off the dock; swimming; feeding the chipmunks.
Isabel is predeceased by her father, Victor Barfoot (1985) and her mother, Bertha Barfoot (2003). Isabel is survived by her brother, John Barfoot (Jane); nieces and nephew Charity Barfoot, Carolyn McGuire (Mike), Catherine “Katie” Barfoot (Harry), and Bryce Barfoot (Veronika); great nephews and niece Dexter McGuire (14), Simon McGuire (12), Davis Barfoot (6), and Bridgette Barfoot (3).
Isabel’s remains have been cremated. To honour her wishes, Isabel’s ashes will be scattered “on a river so that I can travel to a place I have never visited before.”
To the very end, Isabel placed others before herself. She requested that no gathering for a funeral or celebration of life take place “because I don’t want anyone driving a long distance for me.”
Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for Isabel and the Barfoot Family!
Isabel was born on January 9, 1943 to Victor George Barfoot and Bertha Mary Barfoot (nee Curren) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Raised in Montreal, Quebec; Sussex, New Brunswick; and Toronto, Ontario, Isabel was an active member of her church’s youth group, expressing her musical side through piano, church choir, and in high school musicals.
Isabel attended Winston Churchill Collegiate and then the newly built Porter Collegiate in Scarborough. Isabel was outgoing, an organizer who was well liked, always a good listener. People talked to her knowing she could offer different points of view, always trying to lessen the load for others, always trying to help, always putting others ahead of herself. Isabel’s penchant for helping others carried into adulthood as a member of the Red Hats Society.
After graduating from Toronto Teachers’ College, Isabel started her career in Kingston as a kindergarten teacher, where she made many lifelong friendships.
Early in her career, Isabel signed on to teach the children of military personnel at the Canadian armed forces base in Hemer, Germany from 1967 to 1969 where she continued to build lifelong friendships.
Isabel returned to Kingston where she taught at Kingscourt, Balsam Grove, Duncan McArthur, Rideau, Central and J. G. Simcoe public schools.
As a Primary Education Specialist with specializations in art and music, Isabel was a dedicated teacher, always going above and beyond for both students and parents. Many of the students she taught and their parents kept in touch with her over the years.
Isabel’s retirement celebration, after decades of providing children with a solid start to their educational journey, was frozen out by the famous ice storm of 1998.
Isabel loved to travel, visiting countries throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East while she was working in Germany. Once back in Canada, she travelled south with friends including numerous laughter-filled times in Mexico.
In retirement, Isabel was an avid bridge player, sharing her passion with her friends of many years as well as her newer friends at St. Lawrence Place retirement residence on the shores of the St. Lawrence River.
Isabel’s friends were like family to her. She had friendships that spanned 60 years. Isabel shared those friendships with her relatives including her parents, her brother and his family, and her cousins.
Isabel was a devoted daughter, adoring her parents and eventually sharing her home with her elderly, widowed mother. Isabel was an incredible, caring sister to John, and an essential part of holiday celebrations.
Isabel was an “Aunt Extraordinaire,” ready to entertain, educate, and help with her brother’s (as well as cousins’ and friends’) children at every opportunity. Summers at the cottage were filled with Aunt Isabel entertaining her nieces and nephew with Rummoli, Monopoly, and cards; fishing off the dock; swimming; feeding the chipmunks.
Isabel is predeceased by her father, Victor Barfoot (1985) and her mother, Bertha Barfoot (2003). Isabel is survived by her brother, John Barfoot (Jane); nieces and nephew Charity Barfoot, Carolyn McGuire (Mike), Catherine “Katie” Barfoot (Harry), and Bryce Barfoot (Veronika); great nephews and niece Dexter McGuire (14), Simon McGuire (12), Davis Barfoot (6), and Bridgette Barfoot (3).
Isabel’s remains have been cremated. To honour her wishes, Isabel’s ashes will be scattered “on a river so that I can travel to a place I have never visited before.”
To the very end, Isabel placed others before herself. She requested that no gathering for a funeral or celebration of life take place “because I don’t want anyone driving a long distance for me.”
Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for Isabel and the Barfoot Family!