AGNEW, Isobel (née Murphy)

Isobel Murphy Agnew passed away in her sleep just before midnight on January 21, 2025 at age 99 in Pointe-Claire, Quebec. Isobel was predeceased by her husband of 53 years Fred B. Agnew (2007), her brother Ken Murphy (2010), her sister Audrey Williams (2016) and most sadly her daughter Ann-Marie Agnew (2011). She is survived by sons Fred (Elisabeth), Kevin, grandchildren Liane and Victor and great grandchildren Remi, Elliotte and Sawyer.

Born in Montreal, raised in the neighbourhood of Notre-Dame-de-Grace, Isobel lived an extraordinary life. Her childhood years spent during the Depression never dimmed her happy family memories. A business career in finance which began during WW2 had a most auspicious start as on her first day while looking out the office window she witnessed a military bomber plane roaring low in the process of crashing just a short distance away in downtown Montreal. The sadness of that first day on the job memory (15 people died in the Griffintown crash) was eased eventually by the safe return of her brother Ken from active duty in the war and many happy years spent working and living in Montreal before meeting and marrying Fred Agnew in 1954.

Retiring from business after marriage, Isobel and Fred moved first to Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, PQ and a few years later purchased a home in Dorion, PQ where they raised their family and lived for over 50 years.

The Dorion years were glorious. 4^th Avenue may not have looked like a Shangri-La to outsiders, but it was to Isobel and family and that was thanks to the best group of neighbours any family could wish to  have and to Isobel’s remarkable sense of fun and adventure. She organized elaborate street parties in the early years, put up with a decade of the most raucous road hockey games imaginable and was a great host at all times for friends and neighbours at a home filled with love, laughter and comfort.

Isobel returned to work in the mid-1970’s at Vaudreuil Catholic High School in the Principal’s office where she endeared herself to a generation of students – most especially the bad boys and girls of the school as she always showed great leniency in the handing out of “Late Slips”.

The years following Fred’s retirement were most gratifying for Isobel as she and Fred were able to make good on the long-held wish to be able to travel to many of the places that Fred had visited so often during his career. The trips to England, France, Italy and Switzerland were most memorable but Isobel was equally happy to just load-up the car and drive to visit with family in Mont-Tremblant or friends in the Maritimes and Boston.

Isobel also made many lasting friendships through years of volunteer work at the VON, memberships at the Como and Summerlea golf clubs and especially being a most active member of the St. Patrick of the Island church and choir. She was also a champion bowler in her younger years and continued to enjoy a night of bowling with friends well into her later years.

Isobel was courageous. She handled unimaginable tragedies like the loss of Ann-Marie with strength and dignity and lesser setbacks like a broken hip and confinement to a wheelchair in her mid-90’s with resolve and always a determination to enjoy every day. Reading two books a week well into her 100^th year and the Gazette newspaper from front to back daily helped.

Isobel was also extremely strong minded and brave and taught her children well to always stand-up for themselves and do what was right as she did in all circumstances right to the very end of her days.

Thank you to the great group of friends that Isobel enjoyed so very much during her years at L’Esterel, Pointe-Claire and to the caregivers at Vivalis, Pointe-Claire for their camaraderie over the last few years.

A grave side remembrance will be held in the Spring at Rigaud Cemetery.