Biography:

Dr. Isabella Singer (Rendall) Ralph was born in Fergus, Ontario on the 30th of June, 1903.   Dr. Ralph was the eldest of 4 children born to David Ernest Rendall and the former Lillie W. Singer.  Her parents were farmers in Nichol Township and her siblings were; John Ernest Rendall who was born on the 7th of March, 1905 (and died at the age of 9 from complications of diabetes),  Margaret Gray Stickney who was born on the 11th of July 1907 and  Amelia Whelmina Rendall, who was born on the 9th of September, 1909.

According to the 1921 census, Dr. Ralph was still living with her parents in Nichol Twp and her occupation was listed as a teacher.  In 1929, Dr. Ralph graduated from The University of Toronto with a B.A.  In 1932 she graduated M.D. from The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine.

Dr. Ralph married Harry Francis Ralph on the 15th of October, 1932 at her parents residence in Fergus.  Mr. Ralph was born in Florence, Ontario on the 13th of October, 1894.  He was the 2nd of 3 children born to James Thomas Ralph and the former Mary Maud Moore.  His parents were farmers and his siblings were: Josephine Ralph and  Mary “Louise” Ralph.  Mr. Ralph was a farmer.

Shortly after their marriage, Dr. and Mr. Ralph moved to a large home on Peter Street in Bothwell.  Dr. Ralph had her medical office on the main floor, and a dispensary was located in a bedroom upstairs.  It was Dr. Ralph’s goal to open a nursery for emotionally and handicapped children.  It is unclear if she realized this goal but the large home became known as Rosedale College.  Between 1935 and 1946 Dr. Ralph operated Rosedale College to prepare students to become teachers.  During summer vacations, Dr. Ralph held classes for teachers to upgrade their teaching credentials.

Dr. and Mr. Ralph left Bothwell and moved to Orofino, Idaho in July of 1946.  Dr. Ralph’s mother Lilly, continued to live at the home in Bothwell.  On her Petition For Naturalization, Dr. Ralph listed her occupation as Psychiatrist.  Her husband Harry, does not have an occupation listed.  It is believed that Dr. Ralph furthered her education while living in the United States.  Dr. Ralph returned to Canada periodically and in 1966 she became the first female Superintendent at the South Western Regional Center in Cedar Springs.

Mr. Ralph died on the 28th of November of 1967 at their residence in Cedar Springs.  Dr. Ralph died on the 10th of August 1986.  They were buried at the St. Matthews Anglican Cemetery in Florence (Lambton County), the same cemetery where Mr. Ralph’s sisters and parents were buried.

*Dr. Rendall’s sister Dr. Margaret Gray (Rendall) Stickney graduated M.D. from The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 1935.  She died on the 26th of August, 2001.