Isobel Rosemary Hahlen

Isobel Rosemary (Morey) Hahlen

June 24, 1947 - June 22, 2025

It is with great sadness that the family of Isobel Rosemary (Morey) Hahlen announces her peaceful passing on June 22, 2025. Isobel was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

She will be fondly remembered by her former husband, Alfred Hahlen; her children Andrea (Andrew), Robert (Eireen), Katherine (Cody), and David (Alexis); and her cherished grandchildren Ashlie, Jade, David, Elisabeth, Adelaide, Charlotte, Ruben, Camille, and Solomon. She is also lovingly remembered by her sister, Georgina Bushnell; sisters-in-law, Christine Morey and Anne Morey; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Isobel was predeceased by her children John, Kelly, Robin, and Morey; her brothers John (Anne), Robert, and Jim; her sister Margaret (Peter); and her parents, Albert and Elizabeth Morey.

Born in Eastbourne, England, Isobel was the second youngest of six siblings and a joyful addition to her loving parents. Her early years in Eastbourne were filled with seaside adventures, strong friendships, and colourful stories, including the time she famously fought off a purse-snatcher with her handbag, a testament to her courage and tenacity.

In the late 1960s, Isobel followed Alfred to Switzerland. With her characteristic warmth and humour, she quickly learned Swiss-German and wove herself into the fabric of the family and local community. She married Alfred, and together they faced both joy and sorrow, including the tragic loss of their first son, John.

In 1972, Isobel and Alfred moved to Canada, settling first in Quebec, where they purchased their first home and welcomed Andrea and Robert. They later moved from Quebec to Moose Creek, Ontario and it was here that mum took art classes and discovered a love of painting, especially landscapes.

In late 1980, they packed up a u-haul and their beloved VW Rabbit car and headed west to British Columbia, where they operated a dairy farm with Alfred’s brother and his family. Shortly after their arrival in BC they welcomed a daughter, Katherine and in 1983 their son David was born.  Isobel was known for her boundless hospitality, always ready with a warm meal for whoever came through the door, whether it was the vet, the milk tester, farmhands, or her children’s endless stream of friends.

In 1985, the family embarked on a new chapter on the Isle of Wight, where Isobel and Alfred lovingly transformed a large home and former boarding school into holiday flats. It was there that Isobel met her beloved cousin Lena, and her passion for genealogy research began in earnest. However, those years were not without loss. In 1986 Isobel and Alfred mourned the loss of triplets, Kelly, Robin and Morey.  Isobel returned to British Columbia in 1988 with her family, where she poured herself into motherhood and later pursued a diploma in holistic nutrition, reflecting her lifelong care for the well-being of others.

In 1998,  Isobel and children settled in Langley, where Isobel spent the rest of her years. Welcoming her first grandchild in 2000 was a moment of immense joy, and with each new addition to the family, her heart grew fuller. Her pride in her children and grandchildren was boundless.

Isobel’s Christian faith was the cornerstone of her life. She rose early every morning to pray, spending quiet time with her Bible and lifting up her loved ones in prayer. Her faith was unshakable—a deep well from which she drew wisdom, peace, and strength. She offered counsel steeped in grace and biblical truth, and her home and heart were anchored in the love of Christ.

She also had a passion for genealogy, spending countless hours tracing family roots, swapping stories with distant cousins, and building a rich tapestry of family history. Her curiosity and dedication created lasting connections and preserved cherished memories for generations to come.

Isobel embraced the digital age with enthusiasm, joining Facebook to reconnect with old friends, share photos of her growing family, and join genealogy and nostalgia groups that brought her deep joy. Every birthday, holiday, and family gathering was a celebration of togetherness, filled with laughter, good food, and heartfelt conversation. Isobel had an extraordinary gift for making others feel truly seen and loved.

Fierce, kind, and quietly courageous, she fought bravely until the very end, passing peacefully at Langley Memorial Hospital with her eldest daughter by her side.

Isobel was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed. Her legacy of faith, strength, and compassion lives on in her children, grandchildren, and all who were blessed to know her.

We find comfort in knowing she is now in the presence of the Lord she loved so deeply.

 She will be missed, now and always.