Iris A. Haskins

IRIS VERONICA ALLADIN HASKINS, was born on April 13, 1931, in Corriverton, Berbice, Guyana. She was born Iris Haywood in Guyana, South America. Iris was one of six children for their parents, Josiah and Mabel Haywood. Her parents were hard workers, working in the rice and cane fields in Berbice to build a good life for Iris and her five siblings; Pearl, Rose, John, Carlton and Olga. The Haywood family was known for the big white house on Corriverton with fruit trees all around and a donkey cart for transportation. Three of her siblings, Pearl “Princess” Shurland, Rosalind Shepherd and Carlton Haywood has predeceased her.

Iris was educated in Georgetown, Guyana and attained a level of education equivalent to the first years in college. With her education, she progressed to become a school administrator and later a Deputy mayor for Corriverton, Berbice. Iris met and married her first husband Badrueen “Tullah” Alladin. She had six children.. Yasmin, Ecliff, Paul, John, Kem and Aloma. Her first husband and first child, Aloma, have predeceased her.

Iris immigrated to the USA in 1986 and lived in New York City for nine years. While in New York, she became a health care worker and then retired as a tireless family Matriarch. In 1994, Iris took a vacation to Palm Bay, Florida and fell in love with the area. The following year she moved to Palm Bay where she lived the rest of her life indulging in her favorite hobby of gardening. She loved flowers and surrounded her home with all flourishing different flower plants and gardens.

On July 8, 2002, Iris met and married her second husband (her soul-mate), Norman Haskins. They spent time traveling on vacations around the country and when he became sick, she nursed him through a long illness until he died in Palm Bay in 2005. Iris was tireless and undaunted in her dedication to family, her home as well as helping others. She was unselfish in volunteering the use of her beautiful voice and passion for singing at countless family gatherings and ceremonies. She loved to sing and had a beautiful soprano voice. Iris loved high-heel shoes and wore them at all times even causally. She loved to dance in a choreographic manner with hands and feet movements that entertained everyone until the music stopped.

Iris grew up as a Baptist and remained in that faith until her death. While in Florida, she attended the First Baptist Church of Melbourne. She loved Sunday school and Bible studies. Being the person she was, Iris would have very lively discussions in Bible studies as she held onto her point of views no matter what. Needless to say, others gave up and let Iris have the last say. As a widow, the men in church tried to get near her but she told them off in ‘Iris’ way with a look, a shove, or a colorful phrase to leave her alone. Iris always did it her way.

Family and friends meant the world to her. Iris was close to her neighbors Tony and Curtis. She referred to them as her adopted sons. When her husband died and throughout her sickness, they transported her around town, did her food shopping, assisted in cleaning her house; mowing her lawn and home cared for her so she would not be alone in the house, when her daughter needed a break. She trusted and loved them dearly.

Iris was resilient and feisty to the very end. Some people found her to be abrupt, but she was straight forward in everything she did and said. In her later days, she sometimes got the facts wrong, but that did not stop her from holding onto her point of view. She took no nonsense. She told you off in plain words and use her favorite words colorfully that we all know too well. Iris was tough and took no hostages; however, in her toughness, she was kind and forgiving. She loved children and saw them as vessels of angels. She had a gift of looking deep inside someone and could tell if something was wrong in their inner moods.

Iris spent individual time with each of her children, trying to make sure they were prepared for her passing. Each child took the opportunity to show her their love in their special way. Her sons Paul, Ecliff and Kem each traveled separately to Florida and bonded with their mum in her last days. Her son, John took time every day to assist in caring for his mum and making sure she was comfortable. Her daughter, Yasmin steadfastly nurtured and cared for her mum in the only way that a loving daughter would do for her mother. Yasmin and John were at their mother’s side when she took her last breath. All her children were instrumental in nurturing and caring for their mum. Yasmin fed her back to strength even fooling everyone into thinking that she was nowhere close to the end.

Three years ago, Iris and her sister, Olga, spent the summer in New York. They partied every weekend with nails done, hairdos in place, make-up completed, latest summer hats and fashionable up-to-date summer clothing with matching shoes. They would have it no other way. We all called them “The Haywood Girls on the prowl.” They enjoyed every bit of their time that summer laughing and reminiscing about the good past times more than they had done for a very long time. So it was a poignant moment this past summer, the month of August 2014, spending time together talking about their last days together. They hugged and kissed and said their good byes as only two siblings can do for the last time, bidding her sister Olga, ‘Go in the name of the Lord’, as in their mother’s words. Their parting was called the “just in case moment” since her sister was traveling back to Guyana. Iris and Olga knew in their unspoken way that they would not touch each other on this earth again. Iris passed away two days after her sister went back to Guyana.

In her heart, Iris knew and fooled us into thinking that she was nowhere close to the end. But, she wanted to leave this world and reunite with her parents and see her other siblings. We all tried to convince her not to leave, but she said “NO! MY TIME HERE IS FINISHED. I WANT TO GO HOME.” She was ready to leave this earthly life.

IRIS VERONICA ALLADIN HASKINS passed away Saturday, September 27, 2014, in Palm Bay, Florida. Iris, sleep on and take your rest. We love you, but Jesus loves you best for you have done well as a faithful servant.

IRIS VERONICA ALLADIN HASKINS leaves to mourn five children: Yasmin, Ecliff, Paul, John and Kem; four daughters-in-law: Nazreen, Dawn, Stephanie and Sheron; sixteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Her two siblings: John Haywood and Olga Hinds. In addition, her sister-in-law, many nieces, nephews, and cousins: the Haywood’s, Stewart’s, Fortune’s, Sampson’s and many more family and friends.

The Wake will be held Wednesday (10/8/2014) at the home at 6:00 P.M.

A memorial service will be held Thursday (10/9/2014) at Fountainhead Funeral Home from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.

Condolences may be sent to the home address or posted on the Fountainhead Funeral Home website.

The Family thanks each and every one for their prayers, words or thoughts of comfort. At another time, they will reach out and give their respective personal ‘thank you’.

Condolences may be sent to the home address or posted at www.FountainheadFuneralHome, follow the link for “Iris A. Haskins”.

The Family thanks each and every one for their prayers, words or thoughts of comfort. At another time, they will reach out and give their respective personal ‘thank you’.