Iris Kathleen Snook

Iris Snook passed on gently and peacefully on Thursday April 27th . Village at Smith Creek’s Family Room was a lovely venue for our final hours together. Wednesday morning Mom’s visitor and friend Lauraine provided loving comfort to her. That afternoon her son Paul, daughter Lynn, grandsons Aaron and Chris, daughter in law Sam, great grandchildren Kohl and Lily spent the afternoon with Mom/ Nana/ Super-Nana. Sarah and Constance joined in by smart phone; Penni was in touch as was Curt. Many staff members stopped by to check on Mom re medication but also to touch her hand or gently stroke her hair. This nourished our souls as surely as the tasty spaghetti meal [and steamed carrots for the baby] nourished our bodies.

Stories were shared and Hide-and-Go-Seek games were played as Mom’s hand was always held by a family member. Through the night as Aaron and Lynn rested on the Murphy bed or cot, the nurse quietly checked on Mom – always with a loving touch. When Mom’s breathing changed in the early morning, we were at her side…holding her, assuring her that she was loved, bidding her farewell and loving her on her way.

Mom & her 3 brothers and one sister were raised in Saskatchewan. As a teenager, she enjoyed days at Regina Beach with Lorne. Iris and younger brother Jack moved with their parents to Water Street in Kelowna in 1945. Iris studied at a secretarial school on Bernard Avenue then returned to Regina. She & Lorne married in 1947 and had children in 1949, 1950 and 1953. The family lived in Lethbridge and Vancouver before settling in Kelowna in 1959. A few years later Lorne opened Rutland Pharmacy; Iris’ job was to write each patient’s prescription details on separate filing cards. Iris became a widow in 1997, just 5 months after 50th anniversary celebrations.

Iris played classical piano, loved to spend days on Hot Sands Beach working on her tan [using “Guard Lotion” that pharmacist Lorne made], was very active at Kelowna Golf & Country Club Ladies Day, played Bridge, Scrabble and Frustration Rummy, created a gooey marshmallow dessert that she named “Guck”, collected Hummel figures and Swarovsky crystal…and did magnificent Petit Point.

Mom’s final years were spent at McKinley Landing, Sandalwood, Rose Cottage and Village at Smith Creek. Each of these homes attracted her because of the beauty of their setting: Okanagan [aka “my lake”] Lake, well tended grounds, walks in lovely gardens. She absolutely loved being outside… almost as much as she adored wee children. The great grandchildren invariably brought alertness and joy; this was so very evident on her 90th birthday this past January.

A celebration of Iris’ life will be held at a later date. Those wishing to remember Iris are invited to make a donation in her name to Cause Kids: www.cause.ca [#207 – 743 Railway Ave Canmore Alberta T1W 1P2]. Mom was a sponsor for many decades in this program which supports the health and education of girls in Sierra Leone.

Arrangements under the direction of First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC.