Iva Christine Hancock

Surrounded by her daughters, Iva Hancock died peacefully at Cascades Lodge on December 2, 2024, just shy of her 88th birthday. Born Iva Christine Clark in Petrolia, ON, December 13, 1936, Iva was a longtime Chilliwack resident who lived a full life of family, work, volunteerism, and community.

Iva had a long and distinguished career as a registered nurse. From her first position as a labour and delivery room nurse in Port Arthur, Ontario, through her roles as a valued member of the Pembroke General Hospital nursing team, as Head Nurse of Emergency and later Supervisor of Nurses at Chilliwack General Hospital, and ending her career as Administrator of Parkholm Lodge, Iva personified excellence in the art and science of nursing.

She loved working and taught her children and grandchildren by example the values of diligence, commitment, giving through volunteerism, and finishing what you start.

Iva was an active community volunteer and was recognized as Chilliwack’s Soroptimist International Woman of the Year in 2011 for her many volunteer commitments. She was active in the Chilliwack United Church, Lady Lions, the Red Hat Society, the CNIB, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Manna Soup Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, Lion Roy Campbell Lodge, the United Church Thrift Store, the Chilliwack Society for Community Living. Along with her late husband, Vic, she was a founding member of the BC Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association. She was a mad, keen Scrabble player who never passed up the opportunity to educate other players on the key points-making moves needed to win.

Iva is survived by her brother Hugh Clark (Heather), daughters Dawn McKay (Mike), Lynne Pearson (Matt), Kim Hancock, and Erin Hancock, as well as her daughter-in-law Dianne Adair. She was the proud grandmother of Lisa Adair (Chad), and Danielle Adair; Joel Burke (Jennifer), Laura Burke (Ian Warburton), Kathleen Leslie; Will Pearson (Tracy Farrell) and Joy Pearson (Griffin Wright); Joshua Britton, Mackenzie Britton (Jesse Sills-Gilligan), and Lucas Britton; Dustin McKay and Sean McKay. Iva’s three great-grandsons, William and Zachary Leslie, and Theodore Burke, brought her much joy and laughter in her final years.

Iva was predeceased by her beloved husband of 43 years, Victor George (Vic) Hancock, in 2005; her stepson, Doug Adair, in 2023; her parents, William Ewart and Susan Clark; and her siblings, Jean Knapp, Grace Gilbert, Margaret Haskins, Blanche Little, and Lewis Clark.

She will be greatly missed by nieces and nephews and friends too numerous to mention. She was fearless and feisty, and leaves very large shoes to fill.

Iva’s family would like to thank the staff of Cascades Lodge for the compassionate care they provided over the past four years. The nursing staff embraced her as a fellow caregiver and we appreciate their acknowledgement of our mother’s commitment to patient care, including her own. Additionally everyone from the laundry, maintenance, food, and administration staff went out of their way to make our mother feel at home and loved. We cannot thank them enough.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Chilliwack Society for Community Living, in recognition of the many years of care they have provided to Erin, Iva’s youngest daughter; or to the United Church of Canada in Iva’s name.