Izabella "Iza" Marja Greenleaf

After a brief illness, Iza passed away peacefully on August 30, 2026, surrounded by her family. Iza was born in Warsaw, Poland on July 16, 1936. When World War ll broke out, her family was forced to split up and then flee their homeland. Iza bounced around from DP camp to DP camp with her sisters and mother before finally being reunited with her father who found them years later. He had been forcefully taken away from them back in Warsaw by the Nazis. Together the family attempted to start a new life in post-war Europe. Although it was Iza's dream to move to New Zealand and become a sheep farmer, she was out-voted. Instead, her family decided to emigrate to Canada in 1951; first landing in Kitchener, and then eventually settling in Ottawa in 1952.

Despite the hardships Iza faced during her childhood in a war-torn Europe, or as a teenager in a foreign country, she managed to build herself a life here in Canada full of accomplishments and adventures. From learning English through friends pointing out everyday objects on the walk to school, to exploring Barry's Bay as a Polish Scout, Iza never failed to move through this world with positivity and light. Iza loved her new life in Canada and was forever grateful to be a Canadian Citizen.

After graduating from High School, Iza went on to complete a Nursing Degree from Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, and then on to McGill University in Montreal for a specialization in Public Health. After working in the Children's Ward at the Civic Hospital in Ottawa, then afterwards with the school board as a travelling Public Health Nurse, Iza got married and stayed home to raise her two children: Kirsten and Graeme. Iza's lifelong passion was caring for and working with children. She eventually returned to work as an Educational Assistant at the Ottawa Carleton District School Board.

Iza was the kind of person who instantly made anyone who stepped into her space feel comfortable and loved. She was never without a pet and indeed adopted many dogs and cats throughout her life, giving them forever homes. Iza had a curiosity about the world and its long history, about which she read extensively. All of her hobbies and interests that included nature, music, food, knitting, sewing, and sports - especially soccer, tennis and volleyball - she pursued with zeal. Iza loved music and singing and was self-taught in the art of musical harmonization. Some of her fondest memories were singing old Polish songs with her sisters and cousin.

Iza supported her children unceasingly and wholeheartedly and "Babu" served as a pillar in the lives of her granddaughters, Zofia and Rose, leaving them with the kind of childhood memories they will treasure forever. With true motherly love and appreciation, Iza welcomed into her family her son-in-law Dickson who fondly referred to her as "Mama". Family truly was Iza's top priority and her greatest joy in life. When asked during Sunday dinners what she felt grateful for that week, her response was always the same: "Being here with my family."

Iza is predeceased by her parents Zofia and Wilhelm Bachman, her sister Irene (Pikor), and her beloved son, Graeme. She is lovingly remembered by her daughter Kirsten, son-in-law Dickson, granddaughters Zofia and Rose, sister Inge, friend Susanne as well as the rest of her family and friends, who are all just as grateful to have had their lives touched by her, as she was by them.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ottawa Humane Society.

Iza loved live music. So, a Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 18th, from 1pm - 3 pm at Buster's Bar and Grill, 420 Hazeldean Road, Kanata where she used to go to listen to live jazz.