Passed away peacefully in Ottawa, 8 March 2022, aged 96. Widow of the late William “Bill” McKenzie Wood, Canadian career diplomat, Ambassador and veteran of WW2. Beloved mother of Anthony (Claudia) and Alexandra. Cherished and proud grandmother to Nicolas, Sophia and Brian. Predeceased by her sister Dione Dodis last month, and her parents Eriphyle Kypreou and Panagiotis Marcos. Born in Karachi, Pakistan where her father worked for the Ralli Brothers, she spent her early childhood in what was formerly known as British India before moving to Greece, their homeland. In the early 1950s Ismene worked as Social Secretary for the US Embassy in Athens where she met Bill Wood on his first foreign posting with External Affairs. In 1955 Ismene moved to Canada, got married, became a proud Canadian, and followed her husband supporting him and their two children on numerous postings around the world including Brussels, Tel Aviv, Paris, Port-au-Prince, and Kinshasa, always spending summers in her beloved Greece. Back in Canada she enjoyed a long career in residential real estate. Ismene will be remembered by many as sharp, lively, and for her storytelling, as well as her love of family gatherings and of entertaining guests at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club and elsewhere. She was most interested in history (especially Napoleon and the Ancient Greek philosophers), and in keeping abreast of current world news. Ismene deeply enjoyed listening to music (especially Maria Callas and Caruso), going to art exhibits and lectures including those of Canada’s Retired Heads of Mission Association. She was an avid bridge player always striving to improve her game. Ismene loved nature and flowers, her early morning swims in the Pond in Ottawa and in the Aegean Sea, as well as cross-country skiing. She adored Louis, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that her daughter brought back from Greece in 2019. Ismene was a long-time parishioner of both the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church and of the of the St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church of Ottawa. She was very happy at the Chartwell New Edinburgh Retirement Residence which she called her home since mid-2017. Thank you to staff and management there as well as to the doctors and staff of the Montfort Hospital where she was admitted briefly after a fall. A private family service will be held at a later date. In memoriam donations are welcomed to any of following charities she was active with: the Hellenic Community of Ottawa, the Canadian Institute for Mediterranean Studies, the Canadian institute in Greece, the Parnassos Hellenic Cultural Society of Ottawa, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, and the National Gallery of Canada. For online condolences please visit www. Beechwoodottawa.ca
Digital Guestbook
Brad Hampson
Mark Houghting
I am sorry to hear of Ismene's passing, she was a long time client and I will miss her straight forwardness and independant spirit.
David Crippin
Our love and condolences to Alexandra, Nicolas and Sophia and to Anthony and Brian from the family of the late Marjory Crippin (née Wood) of Edinburgh, Scotland, fellow near centenarian and first cousin to Bill. Although we never met Ismene, our mother was very fond of her and greatly valued keeping in touch. We're all proud of their generation.
Andrew & Irini Skarbek-Borowski
Losing a Mother is very hard indeed, especially such an active, interested one as Ismini was. She is with her beloved Bill. Be happy for her.
Your joyful, fun memories are many. Enjoy them. They will help you through.
And we her friends of many years will do so too.
Alice Sophianopoulos
Sincere Condolences to all the family.
Jane Rooney
I am so sorry to hear about your mother's passing. My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Our connection with your mom and dad dates back many years ago when our kids were young. I remember vividly how much they both loved and cared for Nicholas and Sophia. Big hugs and thinking of you.
Lucia Nixon
Ismene was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a good friend to many, including my father. She was an elegant and generous hostess. She helped Bill to represent Canada while retaining her Greek core. She was a great lady and I'm so glad that I knew her. Condolences to the family, and makaria tis.
Joanne Bertrand
My deepest sympathies Alexandra and family. I hope your treasured memories bring you some peace at this difficult time. If there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Shirley Rayes
Sincere condolences to Ismene’s family. She was always elegantly dressed, well travelled , knowledgeable & hospitable. We often met at the bridge clubs in Ottawa , where she regularly played and enjoyed so much.
Miltiadis Messinezis
Please accept my deepest condolences . Ismene was perhaps the oldest in age friend of my father Aris , we speak perhaps as back as the late 1940s, when my family moved from Patras to Athens. In fact they had kept contact until very recently. In my eyes, unfortunately I met Ismene only a handful of times, she was a live reminiscent of a previous time that has sadly long seized to exist. A multi cultural and cosmopolitan world in which peoples of different ethnicities and religions were able to live together and travel without problems. Nowadays most people are blunt and much more miss the multi linguistic education and interests of Ismene Wood.
I'm so sad for your loss Alexandra. My deepest condolences to you and your family. Ismene certainly lived a long and full life, but always hard to say good bye. The memories always remain. Take comfort in knowing she is now with Bill in paradise, and all will meet again one day. God bless.