It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Clara Lorina (Renie) Isnor at the Halifax Infirmary on April 25, 2025. After a series of health difficulties, Renie passed away gently, on her own terms, surrounded by loving family.
Renie is predeceased by her parents Evangeline Chiasson and Donald Logan, and her sister Mary Ellen Logan. She is survived by her husband Robert, son Gordon (Erica), sister Betty Jean Kirby (Murray), grandson Emmett, nieces and nephews Don McNeil (Heather), Jill Latta (Keith), Heather Kirby (Andy Breen), and grand nieces and nephews Maria Kirby-Breen, Lauren McNeil, Ana Kirby-Breen, Ryan Latta, Ben Kirby-Breen, Abbey McNeil.
Renie was born Clara Lorina Logan on November 10, 1945 in New Waterford, Cape Breton. Her family moved to Halifax shortly thereafter.
She met the love of her life, Robert Isnor, in 1963 at a Knight’s of Columbus dance, and agreed to a walk home. It was the beginning of a decades-long loving relationship. Rob and Renie were married on August 21, 1970. They were true soulmates, the very best of friends and enjoyed few things more than the simple pleasure of spending time together.
After graduating from the Halifax Vocational School, Renie went to work at the Motor Carrier division of the Board of Public Utilities, before starting her next big adventure: motherhood. She was fiercely devoted to her son Gordon, supporting him tirelessly and in a myriad of ways, including encouraging and sharing his passion for music – from a Bob Dylan Fourth of July concert at Tanglewood, to a concert by the African music legend King Sunny Ade in Vermont, to many concerts of traditional Cape Breton music, and countless others.
Renie took great enjoyment in thrifting, especially at Frenchie’s, seldom passing one on the highway without asking Rob to stop in so she could take a look.
Like all of her Logan family (and her favourite animal, the elephant), family was paramount to Renie. She loved her Sunday family dinners and weekly lunches with her sister BJ. Her husband Rob, son Gordon and grandson Emmett truly were the apples of her eye. She relished trips to her family homeland of Cape Breton, and reunions with her Logan relatives.
She adored kids, and lavished those in her family and beyond with attention and love, including warm hugs and ‘piggy snorts’ on their bellies. Long after her son Gordon had grown and left home, her living room was filled with toys for successive grand-nieces and nephews, and eventually her own grandson, Emmett.
Renie was boundlessly generous with her time and energy. She joined First Baptist Church and became a dedicated volunteer in the Ladies Auxiliary where she helped with many a tea and sale. She was also an active member in the IODE. She knit, sewed, baked and crafted, all in service of others. She was also known to pick up a hammer when called for, taking a woodworking class and helping to build a deck at a family cottage and a bed that is still in use to this day.
She was a helper to many a friend and acquaintance, often offering rides to the grocery store or help with life’s other tasks. She was a loving babysitter and ‘second mom’ to neighbourhood youngster Maria Wagner for many years, and continued to maintain a close connection to the Wagner family. Her beloved mother Vangie, Rob’s auntie Mildred, and her sister Mary Ellen were all welcomed into her home and cared for there in their final years.
Renie was fearless, and always up for adventure. Holidays were for her another great opportunity to enjoy the company of close friends and family. She fondly recalled as a young woman visiting Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto with her oldest and dearest friend Joanne. Very special to Renie were yearly family trips to Florida where she had the joy of looking after her nephew Donald. In her later years she loved frequent New England jaunts with her beloved husband Rob, trips to Florida, Cuba, and Mexico with friends and family.
She was a family historian and storyteller, proud of her Acadian heritage, and always beaming with pride as she shared the latest success or adventure from one of her grand-nieces or nephews.
We, her family, remember her as kind, loving, selfless, strong, funny, and generous.
She was easy to love, and she will be sorely missed.
A celebration of life will take place on May 9th at 2pm at First Baptist Church in Halifax, to be followed by a reception.
Donations in Renie’s memory may be made to Feed Nova Scotia or a charity of your choice.