Iris Alice White
Jan. 22, 1922 - Jan. 23, 2013
As published in the February 4, 2013 World-Spectator
Iris passed from this world peacefully at William Albert House in Emerald Park the day after her 91st birthday. Iris Alice Mabe was born in London, England, the only child of George William Mabe and Alice Annie (nee Voller) Mabe.
Her adolescence in wartime London meant that she was used to blackouts, the sound of bombs, and going to air raid shelters in the middle of the night. Also, due to the Second World War, she left London and took some of her post-secondary education at the University of Cardiff, Wales, and continued at Furzedown Training College, earning her Teacher's Certificate from the University of London in 1943. She began her teaching career with elementary students in London.
In November, 1945, Iris met the man who would love her unconditionally for nearly 67 years, Canadian soldier, George Richard White. They were married February 2, 1946 and that fall she left the city life she had known to live on a farm in the Cailmount district outside of Moosomin. Her trunks arrived full of books. While they were in Cailmount, Iris taught for a short time at Cailmount School before she and George welcomed their two children, Ian and Helen.
In 1953, Iris and George bought a farm in the New Hastings district and from there she began teaching at Elgin School. With the closing of Elgin, Iris taught at Old Welwyn and then in 1959 accepted a high school teaching position at Rocanville School. Iris's love for learning led her to complete her Bachelor of Education Degree in 1963 and earn her Master of Arts Degree (English Major) at the University of Saskatchewan in 1968. Although she loved teaching, Iris had to give up her teaching career in 1972 due to poor health.
Iris enjoyed being a contributing member of various community groups including the Women's Auxiliary to St. Thomas Anglican Church and the Legion Auxiliary.
Rocanville was home to Iris, but in 1978 she and George moved to Maple Ridge, B.C. to be closer to his elderly parents. They returned to Rocanville in 1987 and Iris enjoyed seeing former students, church friends and once again experiencing the warmth of the community. The move also meant that she was able to build many more memories with three of her grandchildren.
In 2009, after several years of much-appreciated help in their home, Iris and George moved to William Albert Personal Care Home in Emerald Park. There she met new friends and particularly enjoyed the animals that are part of life at William Albert.
Iris was predeceased by her parents, her in-laws Neville and Elsie White, and her brother-in-law Donald White.
She is survived by her husband, George; her son, Ian, his wife Elizabeth and their children Julian and Melissa; daughter Helen, her husband Ross Strong, and children Nicole (husband Dustin Leduc), Adrian (wife Erin and children Logan and Talia) and Tyler (wife Nelly and son Hayden). Iris is also survived by her sister-in-law, Helen White and niece, Susan Ferguson.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the compassionate staff of William Albert who as individuals not only cared for Iris, but embraced her abilities and her determination. We would also like to thank those additional special caregivers who have assisted us in so many ways- you know who you are.
A celebration of Iris's life will be held at a later date.
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