Isabel D. Greenwood, who “always found ways to help build bridges between the work and mission of the church and the needs of the community,” died March 13 in her 99th year.
She married Rev. Tom Greenwood (who later became bishop of the Anglican diocese of the Yukon, 1952-1961) in 1934; a year later, she became the only woman in her class to graduate with a doctor of medicine at McGill University. That same year, the Greenwoods became a missionary couple in Fort MacPherson, N.W.T.
Dr. Greenwood worked for the federal government as a medical doctor to the Dene native community.
The couple lived in Cheshire, England; Fort McMurray, Alta.; Whitehorse; Kamloops, B.C., and later retired in Ottawa. All her life Dr. Greenwood was active in church and community activities – volunteering in church women’s groups and hospital auxiliaries, visiting the elderly, and helping out in Children’s Aid and the Head Start program. While in Ottawa, Dr. Greenwood served through the parish of St. Columba, the Shepherds of Good Hope, Christ Church Cathedral and other local groups until the age of 92.
Born in 1908 in Buffalo, N.Y., she came to Canada in 1930, after graduating with a bachelor of science in chemistry from Connecticut College.
Dr. Greenwood is predeceased by her husband and a son, Michael (1961). She is survived by her son, David, and her daughters, Sally, Meg and Anne; and by 11 grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
