ISA FLAWS

1918 - 2003

Isabella (Isa) Cuthbertson Flaws, beloved wife of the late Mr. Cecil Flaws, departed this life on Monday, February 3, 2003 at the age of 84 years.
Isa was born August 24, 1918 in Gladstone, Manitoba, the third of six children born to William and Jennie Wastle. On December 23, 1939 she married Cecil Flaws and together they raised eleven children. In 1957 they moved to Hays from Manitoba and the last three children were born there. Cecil passed away in November of 1996. Isa was a loving and patient mother. She considered each child a blessing from God and cherished each one. Most of Isa’s time was taken up by the daily challenge of housework and meals for her large family but she enjoyed crossword puzzles and reading whenever she could find time - thank goodness for Reader’s Digest condensed books! She also liked to raise poultry. One time she gave duck eggs to a hen to hatch and then felt so sorry for the hen as she squawked because her babies kept jumping in the water. Isa also found time for a garden and flowers. Although she missed the lush greenness of her native Manitoba, she learned to see beauty on the prairie. She was especially fond of the fuscsia cactus flowers which were in abundance.
Isa lived by the credo “do unto others...” and was never knowingly unkind to anyone or anything. Her spirit was gentle and she taught her children to look for the good in their day-to-day lives. She often said “be thankful for what you have, and never mind what you don’t have”. She knew the importance of being able to pause and enjoy the simple things - a rainbow, a sunset, a sleeping child. She didn’t believe in gossiping or speaking ill of others. Because of her shy and quiet nature, many never got to know the quality of this woman. Her quick but gentle wit, her spiritual strength, put together with her great intelligence gave her a unique personality.
Isa battled Alzheimer’s for many years, as it slowly stole her memories, her health and finally her life. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Taber Continuing Care for the loving care they gave our mother during her last eleven years.
Left to cherish her memory are three brothers, John (Merle), Bill, and Ralph (Grace) Wastle; two sisters, Eva (Frank) Flaws and Marion Van Damme; eleven children: Bert Flaws of Hays, Isabel (Jerry) Pakarno of Rosemary, George (Sandy) Flaws of Hays, Anne (Lyle) Mooney of Coaldale, Lloyd (Lucy) Flaws of Hays, Darlene (Bill) McQuarrie of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Agnes Flaws of Lethbridge, Heather (Howard) Campbell of Burdett, Doug (Bonnie) Flaws of Coaldale, John Flaws of Hays and Marilyn Flaws of Lethbridge; fourteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, February 6, 2003 from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service was held at the Hays Gospel Chapel, Main Street, Hays on Friday, February 7, 2003 at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Rod Taylor officiating. Interment followed in the Hays Cemetery.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Isa’s name can be made directly to the Alzheimer’s Association of Lethbridge, 426 - 5 Street South Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 2B7 or to the Continuing Care Facility c/o the Taber Hospital Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9.