Judy Isherwood (1935-2023): West Island publisher, teacher

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Judith (Judy) Isherwood, a long-time resident of Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue and profitable Quebec e-book writer, died Jan. 10. She was 87.

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Isherwood (née Cockey) was born in Maryland in 1935 and moved to Montreal in 1971 when her husband Geoffrey Isherwood (1937-1998), whom she’d met whereas attending Tufts College close to Boston, was employed by McGill College.

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Judy Isherwood, who earned a Bachelor of Science diploma in Bodily Remedy from Tufts in 1961 and a Masters of Schooling (Studying) diploma from the College of Delaware in 1968, later labored as a studying specialist at John Rennie and Beaconsfield excessive faculties (1977-1980). She was additionally a artistic writing trainer within the persevering with training division of the Lakeshore College Board.

In 1991, she established Shoreline Press, a small, impartial publishing firm she ran out of her residence on Ste-Anne St.

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Shoreline revealed greater than 200 books by Canadian authors over the subsequent three many years, starting from memoirs to poetry. Among the many revealed titles are Towards New Horizons by Clifford Lincoln, Quebec Sketchbook, by John Collins, Clear Recollections: Memoirs of Percy Nobbs, A Stain Upon the Land by John Kalbfleisch and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Heritage City by John Bland.

“I’m amazed,” Isherwood as soon as mentioned of Shoreline’s success as a small, impartial writer. “We didn’t actually count on something once we began, but it surely simply grew and form of took on a lifetime of its personal.”

Ste-Anne city councillor Ryan Younger mentioned Isherwood additionally wrote books and guides about native historical past, together with A Historic Strolling Tour Of Sainte-Anne-De-Bellevue, which was used as a vacationer information for guests to Ste-Anne’s, a West Island city of 5,027 individuals.

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Younger nonetheless has a replica of Isherwood’s information which he makes use of whereas conducting strolling excursions of Ste-Anne’s village.

Isherwood additionally penned a number of books, together with Right down to Earth, Tickets, A Play in One Act and The Lakeshore Chamber Music Society: The First Twenty Years!

Isherwood was a member of the Affiliation of English-Language Publishers of Quebec. Shoreline Press was offered to Angela Leuck of Hatley, Que., in 2020.

Younger mentioned Isherwood was additionally energetic in neighborhood heritage preservation.

In a 2001 Montreal Gazette article, Isherwood was requested what she appreciated greatest about Ste-Anne.

”You discover all types of individuals in Ste-Anne,” she replied. “Usually in a suburb, the individuals all come from the identical earnings bracket and all reside in the identical varieties of homes. There’s cash right here, however you’ll be able to’t inform who has it and who doesn’t once you stroll down the road.”

“Judy’s wry sense of humour and curiosity and curiosity within the lives of the individuals she knew will probably be fondly remembered and sorely missed,” in line with her obituary.

Isherwood is survived by her three youngsters, Geoffrey (Amanda Muise), Molly (Peter Smeets) and John (Danielle Paré) and grandchildren John, Zach, Erika and Willem.

jmeagher@postmedia.com