Isabel McLAUGHLIN OSA

McLAUGHLIN, Isabel, Grace C.M., O.Ont., OSA, CGP
At home in Toronto, on Tuesday, November 26, 2002, in her 100th year. Daughter of the late Col. R. Samuel McLaughlin and Adelaide Mowbray. She is predeceased by her sisters Eileen McEachren, Mildred Taylor, Hilda Pangman and Eleanor (Billie) Mann. She leaves a number of devoted nieces and nephews, and many friends. Born and raised in Oshawa, Ontario, Isabel's early interest in art led to several years of study in Paris before returning home to a life of painting and developing great friendships with such familiar names as Alexandra Luke, Prudence Heward, Peter and Bobs Howarth, Yvonne McKague Housser, Gordon Webber, Lawren Harris, Carl Schaefer and many others. Early mentors were Arthur Lismer and A.Y. Jackson, who became friends as well. As a founding member of The Canadian Group of Painters in 1933, and later its President, her circle of friends widened and she began to collect their paintings. These included a number of Montreal artists such as Sarah Robertson, Louis Muhlstock, Marian Scott and Anne Savage. Painting trips with friends ranged from the Great Lakes to Arizona and New Mexico, the Rockies to Hawaii, Quebec to Bermuda. Isabel's distinctive style, based on strong design and the use of bold colours was entirely her own. Her love of the natural world predominated much of her work: leaves and trees, rocks, feathers, fish and shells are favourite subjects. Her work is in The National Gallery, The Art Gallery of Ontario, many other galleries and private collections. Isabel was an outstanding benefactor of the arts. The Heliconian Club, Toronto's first club for professional women devoted to the arts, was a particular interest and owes much to her support. Perhaps her most visible gift was to The Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa when, in 1987 thanks to Isabel's generosity, a new wing of the Gallery was opened and Isabel's donation of her magnificent personal collection of paintings was exhibited. This gift was followed by many more. It must be added as well that countless individuals also benefited from Isabel's kindness. Her life was a legacy to us. The family is grateful for the loving support and care provided by Donna Boot during Isabel's last years and recent illness. A service will be held in the chapel of the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME - A. W. MILES CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Eglinton Avenue East), on Saturday, November 30th at 3 o'clock. If desired, memorial donations to The Parkwood Foundation, 270 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa L1G 4T5, or the Heliconian Hall Foundation, 35 Hazelton Avenue, Toronto M5R 2E3, would be appreciated.