Isabel Marie (Bourassa) Martindale was born December 7, 1938 in Spiritwood, SK. Her parents were Aristide and Orise Bourassa, she was their eleventh child and there would be one more to follow. Isabel’s parents had been farmers in Radville, SK until the dirty thirties, when they were forced to move north. Isabel grew up on a farm near Laventure, SK attending schools at East Creek, Laventure, North Creek, Spiritwood Separate School, ending at Leoville High School where she completed grade 10 at age 15. Later in life she would complete her formal education with a GED.
At sixteen she went to work in Spiritwood as a housekeeper. In March of 1956 she was hired by the Bank of Nova Scotia.
July 10, 1957 she married the love of her life, Phil Martindale. He had moved to town with the Baich family who had purchased the Lakeview Hotel, bringing their staff with them from Weekes to Spiritwood.
April 18, 1958 their first daughter Judy Marie was born. Isabel continued to work at the bank until December 1966 when she quit as she was expecting their second daughter Genevieve (Jenny) Lynn who was born in March 1, 1967. The early years of their married life, Isabel spent balancing her time as a wife and working mother. She and Phil enjoyed ball tournaments, and fishing, and many family gatherings.
In December of 1967 Phil and Isabel moved to Hudson Bay, SK where she once again started working for the Bank of Nova Scotia.
She left the bank after about five years and began to work in the office for Simpson Timber Company. Isabel would eventually return once more to the Bank of Nova Scotia. Over her years at the bank, she had many roles including teller, branch administrator, and even assistant manager. She remained there until her retirement in 1996 with 35 years of combined service.
Isabel often volunteered in the community. She canvassed for Donor’s Choice for years, was active in the Hospital Auxiliary, Treasurer for both Figure Skating, and the Pioneer Centre to mention a few.
She was always very efficient with her time as chores were done on a schedule and baking was done in bulk. An avid reader, she also spent her leisure time curling in the early years, and later in life bowling, and playing cards. When they moved to the acreage, she spent many hours canning and preserving all of Phil’s garden treasures.
After Phil’s passing in 2010, she bravely moved forward on her own, eventually settling in Churchill Place where she would remain until July 2018. At that time, she made the choice to be closer to the girls, moving to Rocky Mountain House, AB. She was fortunate to have spent the last year of her life close to Judy enjoying time with her and her family. After a short, but tough battle with cancer, Isabel passed away peacefully with her daughters at her side.
She Leaves to cherish her memories: Daughters: Judy (Francis) Baich and Genevieve (Dean) Rubisch; Her Grandchildren: Victoria Baich, Elizabeth Baich, Graeme Rubisch, and Braydon Rubisch; Sisters: Noellie Schaan and Marie Georget; Brothers: Leopold (Irma) Bourassa, Gerard (Pauline) Bourassa and Frank (Shirley) Bourassa; As well as many nieces and nephews, and numerous members of Phil’s family.
Isabel was predeceased by her loving husband of 52 years Phil Martindale (2010); Her parents: Aristide (1978) and Orise (1984) Bourassa; Her brothers: Omer (2013), Alfred (2015), Arthur (1995), and Adrien (2014) Bourassa; Her sisters: Anna Vallee (2001), and Irene Turgeon (2000); Brothers-in-law: Philias Turgeon (1969) (Irene), George Turgeon (1997) (Irene), Emile Gagne (1976) (Noelie), Frank Schaan (2004) (Noelie), Olivia Georget (1981) (Marie); Sisters-in-law: Lorna Bourassa (2004)(Art), Lucy Bourassa (2017) (Alfred); Niece: Agnes (Leo) Lafreniere; Nephews: Jules Turgeon, Norbert Georget; And numerous members of Phil’s family.