Ludlam, Isabelle

Ludlam, Jessie Isabelle

With broken hearts the family of Isabelle Ludlam (nee Curtis), announce her passing, with her loving husband Jim by her side, on October 31, 2022 at the Souris Hospital. Isabelle was born on June 17, 1941 in Souris to Fred and Mary Curtis, third in a family of five children.  She was raised on the family farm near Chater, just off the low road to Shilo.  She grew up on a fox farm (in the early years) which later changed to a dairy operation, provided ample opportunity for exploring and adventure.  She enjoyed quiet times playing with her dolls as a young girl, but was just as at home playing in the barn, in the loft and in the fields surrounding the farm.  Her adventures were limited only by her imagination.  Isabelle was an avid reader, often re-reading an available book, several times.  As an adult, she continued in that tradition.

Isabelle attended school in the one room country school in Chater.  Junior high and high school were spent at St. Michael’s in Brandon.  After high school, she enrolled in the LPN program at the Manitoba Technical Institute in Winnipeg.  Isabelle met her future husband while she was a nursing trainee in Souris.  They began courting (how proper!) for some time before Isabelle ‘suggested’ that they get married.  They were married on June 1, 1962 in Chater, honeymooning in Niagara Falls.

Their first house was a basement – no house, as they lived there while the house on top was being built.  Later, when the house got too small for the growing family, they found and fell in love with an old abandoned house. It was located on the south side of Souris, across Plum Creek.  Together they resuscitated the property to its former glory, continually adding to its beauty and history with their own personal touch.  Later it became known as the property, Rose Hill.  Isabelle was extremely proud of the house and gave all her children wonderful, happy memories growing up there.  Many family gatherings and celebrations were held there; Isabelle would be quietly preparing and organizing every one of them! In more recent years, Isabelle and Jim built their retirement home on the exact spot they first met – the old Creamery (later known as the Cheese Plant), again, filling the house with love and providing new adventures and happy memories for the next generation – all her grandchildren.

Isabelle had a long and satisfying career as a nurse, mainly working at the Personal Care Home.  Her work there was more than just a job, this really was her calling.  She gave every resident all the love and attention they should have as if they were her family.  In the summertime, she would organize a tea party at her home for any of the residents so that they could have a chance to enjoy an afternoon away in a beautiful setting.

Aside from nursing, Isabelle was heavily involved with St. Paul’s United Church, serving on various committees, UCW, teaching Sunday School and helping out with the thrift shop. She also helped out with other groups, such as the Kinettes, the Lionelles, Town Beautification, to name a few.

Even with all this, Isabelle’s main priority was still to her family.  She always had time to participate in anything that her children were involved in, school, play or otherwise.  She supported her family in whatever endeavor they tried and always gave them a safe, secure place to come home to.  And that same love and support was extended in recent years to her grandchildren, which she was proud to be a “doting Grandma”, being able to spoil them!

Isabelle rarely did a single thing for herself; it was always about the other person and what she could do for them! One of the few things she did that she truly enjoyed was to camp and travel Coast to Coast across Canada as well as to visit such places as: England, Australia, Hawaii and Mexico.  Hawaii was truly a highlight as she was able to share her love of travel with her whole family, taking her children and grandchildren to a truly magical place!

Forever treasuring Isabelle’s memory is her loving husband Jim; her children, Ron, Brad (Randi), Todd (Karen), and Robin as well as her beloved grandchildren, Judith, Melody, Graeme, Sam and Rob. Also mourning her loss is her sister, Letty, brothers, George (Marilyn) and Bruce (Debbie), as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Isabelle is predeceased by her parents, Fred and Mary as well as her brother, Tom.

Mom’s Creed

Respect All People

Listen To Each Other

Be Kind to Everybody

Love Each Other

Funeral service was held at St. Paul’s United Church, Souris on Saturday, November 5, 2022 with a private interment in the Souris & Glenwood Cemetery. In memory of Isabelle, donations may be made to St. Paul’s United Church (New Door Fund) Box 899 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0 or to the Souris Beautification Fund c/0 Municipality of Souris-Glenwood Box 518 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0.