Carol Isfeld

Mrs. Carol Isfeld (née Donaldson) was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and grew up in Brownsburg, Quebec, near Lachute. She met her husband in Winnipeg and followed him as he pursued his career in the air force. When he retired as an Air Observer they moved to Courtenay, British Columbia. They had three sons—Mark, Leigh and Glenn.

Carol was a very compassionate woman. She and her son Mark (nicknamed “Izzy”) took an interest in the children living in war-torn countries. In 1993-1994, Master Corporal Mark Isfeld was a peacekeeper serving in Croatia. At the time, he asked his mother Carol, who was an avid knitter, to create something that he and his fellow soldiers could give to the children they encountered in the course of their work clearing landmines. Mrs. Isfeld saw the images of the war torn country and realized the children did not have toys or other items to give them comfort. As a result, she created a pattern for little dolls small enough to fit into a soldier’s pocket. She began to crochet dolls for Mark to give to the children.

Mark was well known for the distribution of these dolls, which were an instant hit with children. They began to be called "Izzy" dolls, after Mark.

Sadly, during his third tour of duty, Master Corporal "Izzy" Isfeld died on 21 June 1994, as a result of injuries sustained from a mine explosion. He was 31 years old. Left to mourn was his wife Kelly, two stepchildren, his parents Carol and Brian, and his brothers.

After MCpl Isfeld’s death, the Isfelds became advocates for the abolition of landmines. They attended many events worldwide. To further honour their son’s memory, the Isfelds continued to craft, ship and promote sending “Izzy” dolls to Canadian soldiers. These soldiers continued to give them to orphaned and vulnerable children in war-torn regions around the world.

In 2000, the Royal Canadian Legion selected Mrs. Isfeld to be the National Silver Cross Mother and represent all Canadian mothers who lost children in military service. In this role, she laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial during the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on November 11. Carol and Brian Isfeld were also awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (civil division) in 2006 for their efforts in supporting the clearing of landmines.

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Carol Isfeld passed away 15 August 2007 in Courtenay, B.C. She was 68. Thousands of children around the world have been comforted by the Izzy Dolls she created.

Many volunteers continue to knit Izzy Dolls to allow Canadian Armed Forces members to distribute them to children in Afghanistan and elsewhere. The “Izzy comforting dolls” are also used to pack fragile medical supplies shipped to orphans in Africa whose parents died of AIDS. Not only do the dolls bring comfort to children around the world, but they also bring joy and pride for Canadians who make and distribute them. In a way, the Izzy Dolls are becoming a Canadian tradition.