Obituary of Esmie Sylvira Israel

April 13, 1938 – St. Elizabeth, Jamaica

November 10, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Esmie Sylvira Israel (nee Dixon), also known as Sylvia, but her favourite title was “Nana”, passed away on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, after a long health battle that ended peacefully.

Esmie was a force to be reckoned with, leaving Jamaica in the mid-sixties and coming to Canada all on her own, in winter yet.  She came as a nanny and worked with and became a member of the Love and Sutherland families.  She married Reuben Israel in 1967, another transplanted Jamaican, and worked hard her whole life to support her family. Her life as a caregiver impacted many families, as she helped raise their children, and care for their elderly, always being respectful of their needs, and adopting them as her own.  Her love for each one of those people remains and she just wanted all the boys she called her grandchildren, to go after what they wanted.  She wanted them to know she was proud of them. Mom would want all of us to be more like family, no matter one’s race, religion, or creed, and this is what we will carry forward.

Esmie is survived by her two children, Carolee and Anthony; three grandchildren, Dominic and Nathan Turner and Shamar Nerenberg; her sister Osburga (Ruby) Dixon; her brothers, Noel, Valney and Winston; and many nieces and nephews across the UK, Jamaica, Canada, and the US. 

A Private Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Esmie’s service streamed live at https://youtu.be/SGWFr6UqLfQ. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Esmie’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire memorial tributes may be made directly to the   Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca,  the Canadian Mental Health Association – Calgary Region, Suite #400, 105 – 12th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 1A1 Telephone: (403) 297–1700, www.cmha.calgary.ab.ca, or to the Kerby Centre, 1133 7 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1B2, Telephone: (403) 265-0661, www.kerbycentre.com.

In living memory of Esmie Israel, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.