Iris Elaine Southwood

Iris E. Southwood, age 71, went to be with the Lord on Sept. 12, 2014 at her home in Yakima with her family at hand. Iris was born Dec. 9, 1942 at her grandfather’s family home in Anadarko, OK. She was the firstborn to Elaine Garrett-Marsh and Ira A. Marsh, while he was overseas in Europe during WWII. She was the eldest sister to Linda Diedrich and Carolyn Ackerson.

As a young woman, she met Marvin Southwood (Sonny) in Wichita, Kansas at a basketball game and married after a very brief engagement. Soon they were raising a daughter, Roxanne Southwood, and a son, Chester Lee Southwood. They relocated to Washington State in the Seattle area where they lived for 6 years. During that time, Iris earned her nursing degree and began her long career in many different fields of nursing. This was always a labor of love and an endless source of fascination for her. She was also an avid reader, quite intelligent with a voracious appetite for learning. Iris, Sonny, and family later moved to Moses Lake, Kennewick, and finally to Yakima.

After her husband Sonny’s passing, she moved to their country property where she enjoyed living with her animals, many of which she had rescued. When she became ill, her beloved sister Linda came to live with her and lovingly took amazing care of her for 3 years until Iris’ passing.

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband. Her surviving relatives - Aunt Dolli Garrett, sisters Linda and Carolyn, daughter Roxanne (Jeff Throop), son Chester, nieces and nephews Christine Monson (Glen), Teresa Garrett, Mike Kiser, Michael Cummings, Stevie Ball; grandchildren Tristan Hall, Sidra Spencer, Nigel Hall, Ethan Hall, Tiernan Hall, Chester Southwood, and 7 great grandchildren.

Many thanks to angelic friends Robin and Ron Guthrie, Bev and Dave Prescott. Thanks to Hospice staff and especially her nurse and friend, Jeannie.

Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.