Tribute

Mrs.  Isabel Hogg of Kimberley, BC passed away peacefully at the Dr. F. W. Green Memorial Home in Cranbrook, BC on April 8, 2026 at the age of  94 years.  Isabel was born on July 10, 1931.  She and her family lived at the Top Mine, as it was known at that time, before moving down to Kimberley proper.

Isabel started piano lessons before Grade 1, going on to complete the Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music program.  Her love of music was encouraged by her dad, Bob Davidson, who was a well-known and talented singer in the community and church.  She often accompanied and sang with him.

Isabel was a busy mom of three children, but still had time to teach piano, accompany and sing at many weddings, funerals, high school musicals and senior homes. She was the organist and choir director at the Kimberley Presbyterian Church, then went on to the Cranbrook Presbyterian Church, where she loved playing the pipe organ.  She retired after playing a total of 62 years, between the two churches.

When Isabel was ten years old WW II had begun.  Her dad, at the age of 40 signed up to be a nurse’s aid in a military hospital in Edmonton.  He served four years before returning home.  Leaving his family meant big changes for everyone.  Isabel’s mom, Liz, worked three shifts at the Cominco Concentrator as a sampler.  Kimberley, being a target because of the mine, had lots of blackouts.  Isabel has recalled washing the kitchen floor by the light of the fire in the wood stove.  Her brother, Bob, was three years younger.  With her dad away, they took in boarders.  At a young age Isabel was called upon to help with the housework, meals and caring for her younger brother.

Isabel met her husband at a high school dance.  She was in grade 10, he in grade 12.  She was the soloist.  George asked her for the Home Waltz and she said yes.  By summer they were dating.  The rest, as they say, is history.  That fall George left for the Vancouver School of Art.  They kept in touch with letters.  Isabel graduated high school with Academic and Athletic scholarships.  She then went on to the Edmonton Mount Royal Business College.  Returning to Kimberley, she worked as a secretary at McKim and Selkirk, before retiring from the City Hall working for the mayor.

George and Isabel were married on October 28, 1950 in the Anglican Church with two Presbyterian ministers officiating.  The present Presbyterian Church was being built.

Isabel enjoyed tennis, camping in their trailer and travelling to Europe, Scotland and Mexico with George.  She was a dedicated Kootenay Ice fan, loved crosswords, sewing, knitting, crocheting and baking.

Isabel became the backbone of George’s art career.  She looked after the matting, framing, marketing, shipping, invoicing and correspondence.  They enjoyed hosting annual art shows in their home for years.  She always served her famous shortbread.

She had a special way of whistling that would bring a squirrel scurrying to their deck, who would take a nut from her hand.  He provided them many hours of enjoyment.

At the age of 92, Isabel fell in her driveway breaking both her right hip and wrist.  We celebrated her 93rd birthday while she was having physio at the Dr. F.W. Green Home.  To everyone’s surprise she healed and recovered without complications.

After selling their Kimberley home, they both moved into Joseph Creek.  Not long after, Isabel was hospitalized, then placed in the Dr. F. W. Green Home.  At 96, George has been able to drive twice a day to visit her which he is so thankful for.  They celebrated their 75^th wedding anniversary with a party there.

She was predeceased by her son Gary, her mother Liz and father Bob Davidson, her brother Bob and sisters-in-law Jean Davidson and Maureen Buckley.

She is survived by her loving husband George, son David (Marcia) Hogg of Trail, BC, daughter Janet (Bob) Chesham of Lake Country, BC; Grandchildren Wayne (Jessica) Hogg of Trail, BC, Doug (Emily) Hogg of Trail, BC, Alison (Duane) Hughes of Kelowna, BC and Adrian Chesham of Nanaimo, BC, 14 great grandchildren and seven nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Knox Presbyterian Church, Cranbrook, BC.  A special thank you to the wonderful staff of the Dr. F. W. Green Home for their warm, kind, professional care of mom and who made dad’s days a time of peace while he visited the love of his life.

She will be lovingly remembered and will be forever in our hearts.