By ANNA USHER

Isabel Masterton didn’t just live in Mosman – she belonged to it.

For more than two decades, the streets around Bridlewood Gardens were her world: the walk to Harris Farm for fresh produce, a browse through her favourite boutiques, and a weekly dinner catch-up at the The Duck with the people she loved most.

She didn’t drive, but she never needed to.

Isabel was also one of Mosman Collective’s biggest fans -engaged, curious, and across what was happening in her community.

She loved a good conversation, a good book, and a good bargain; she had her go-to Japanese spots (Kojiro, Ogenki and Goemon), and she never missed the small rituals that made life feel special – including taking her trolley down to Dan Murphy’s for her beloved sparkling red, and later delighting in the piccolo bottles of Bleasdale!

Today, we pay tribute to Isabel – and her life marked by love, loss, resilience, and deep devotion to her family and to Mosman. The following obituary is from her family.

Isabel Masterton
1938 – 2026

With great love, we share the passing of Isabel Masterton of Mosman, who died aged 87 on 13 February 2026.

A true local, Isabel settled into her apartment at Bridlewood Gardens 23 years ago after she was widowed. She felt safe there, and loved living in the heart of Mosman – within walking distance to everything, as she didn’t drive.

Isabel was born on 24 April 1938 in Melbourne, before her parents moved to Corowa on the NSW border to start a jewellery and watchmaking business. They lived at the back of the shop.

As a child, Isabel suffered from asthma and was sent to boarding school in Albury at a place called Woodstock, and she also spent time staying with her grandparents – where she developed a lifelong love of reading.

In later years, she could often be found searching through Mosman’s many op shops for second-hand books, always on the hunt for a good story and a good bargain.

Isabel had a younger brother, Tony Nankervis, seven years her junior. A loving brother and talented ceramic artist, Tony survives Isabel and currently lives in Townsville with his wife Mary, of 50 years.

Isabel built an extensive working life at a time when young girls were often encouraged to leave school, take a typing job, and wait for “Mr Right” to come along. In the days of typewriters, she was accomplished in shorthand and worked as an Executive Assistant at Formica Plastics for many years, as well as Westinghouse (Circular Quay).

In 1962, Isabel married Sydney teacher Douglas Baird, whom she met on the golf course in Corowa when he was there teaching.

They moved to Thornleigh in Sydney and had three children – two daughters, Susan and Karen, and then a son, Peter.

Tragically, Peter died in an accident when he was 3.5 years old.
Isabel and Douglas’ marriage ended in 1980.

Isabel later married the love of her life, Ian Masterton, whom she met at a Woolloomooloo pub in about 1982.

They had a whirlwind long-distance romance for ten years, then married one Tuesday evening in 1992 and flew back to London the next day – beginning a very happy life together.

Originally from North Berwick in Scotland, Ian was a British Airways pilot, and Isabel travelled the world with him. Ian retired at 55, and sadly contracted bowel cancer, dying less than a year later in March 2002.

When she moved back to Sydney in 2003, Isabel embraced Mosman wholeheartedly, she was a keen and regular attendee at Trumps Mosman, making many friends and demonstrating her skill and competitive nature — she loved to win!

Having the village life at her doorstep was a dream come true, and Isabel loved shopping at Harris Farm, lingering over coffee, and bargain-hunting with the same delight she brought to everything else.

Isabel loved Japanese food and had her favourite local spots, Kojiro, Ogenki and Goemon – and then there was her sparkling red. A small ritual that became pure Isabel. She would take her trolley down to Dan Murphy’s to collect “half a dozen,” and was delighted when the The Duck started serving piccolo bottles of her favourite tipple, Bleasdale.

She met her grandchildren at Hotel Mosman for a weekly dinner catch-up, but her favourite place was Balmoral, where she found solace sitting on the memorial seat dedicated to her beloved son Peter and her late husband, Ian Masterton.

Isabel was a devoted mother to Susie and Karen, grandmother to Cassie, Gabi, Harry and Oli, sister to Tony, aunt, and friend. She loved generously and unconditionally. Always immaculately presented – often dressed in bright colours, with fabulous hair -she carried herself with dignity, warmth, and quiet strength.

She loved good conversation, café outings, and the everyday joys of Mosman life.

Above all, Isabel made people feel seen, heard, and loved. Her presence loomed large in the lives of those closest to her, and she will be profoundly missed.

A private cremation has been held in accordance with her wishes.

A small celebration of her life will be held with close family and friends.