May 28, 1923 - May 18, 2020
Isabella Catherine Moran (nee Morrison) died peacefully after a short illness on 18 May 2020 in Castlegar, BC. She was 10 days short of her 97th birthday. Bella was born 28 May 1923 in Peckett Harbour, Chile and was baptized in Punta Arenas. Her father Neil Morrison and mother Margaret Macaulay Morrison lived in Chile for several years while Neil was a shepherd and rancher. The family left Chile in August 1926 and returned to their hometown of Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland. They immigrated to Canada 2 years later and arrived on the ship Athenia at Quebec City.
Bella grew up in Trail, BC and became a legal secretary. She married the well-known local lawyer Michael Ernest "Mickey" Moran on Halloween 1953 in Castlegar. She loved the Kootenays and had a strong commitment to her community. She volunteered with numerous organizations including the Castlegar Hospital Women's Auxiliary, the Castlegar Library and the Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Bella was on the board of directors of the Kootenay Gallery of Art and Science, was a member of the Castlegar Arts Council and was the Treasurer of the Ladies Section of the Castlegar Golf Club.
She kept a beautiful home and loved collecting china and antiques locally and from around the world. She traveled widely including to World Cup soccer in Mexico and Germany with Mickey. She became a pilot as a young woman in her teens, survived an airplane crash (she wasn't the pilot), skied into her 80's and was always interested in an adventure. Her interests included golf, downhill and cross-country skiing, sewing and bridge.
She is predeceased by husband Mickey, siblings Norman, Ethel, Neila and Margaret.
She was active with and enjoyed spending time with her sons and daughters-in-law and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She leaves son Michael (Kathe), grandsons Kit (Rebecca) and Connor (Hero), son Kevin (Susan), grandchildren Melanie (Saare) Adams, Tom, David (Melina), Joanna and great-grandchildren Hayden and Cayley Adams and Mia Moran.
In lieu of flowers, donations to your local Hospital Auxiliary in Isabella's memory would be greatly appreciated.
A private family memorial is planned. Castlegar Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.