Obituary

Iris Banks died peacefully on February 26, 2024 at Heritage River Retirement Residence in Elora. The family would like to thank the Heritage River staff, Care Partners, Bayshore HealthCare, and the Palliative Care team for their support in her final stage of life. Iris was born in London, ON and grew up in the Etobicoke area of Toronto. She met Rupert, her husband of 73 years, during the war on a blind date where they went to a dance hall. They were married and lived with her parents while Rupert went to university. After graduation, they moved to Kapuskasing where they lived for the next 37 years. Dancing remained a big part of their lives. Together, Iris and Rupert put down roots in Kapuskasing, enthusiastically making new friends and embracing the different cultures (French, Japanese, various eastern Europeans and First Nations) in this northern community. As a couple, they had a full social life playing bridge, curling, and cross-country skiing. Iris’s spent many years as a homemaker while her three children were growing up. Rupert worked as a forester and was away in the bush camps during the week while Iris ran the household and cared for the children. When the children were old enough, Iris volunteered on the Library Board, and then volunteered and worked for what is now known as the Society for Community Living. This involved teaching children and adults life skills. Eventually, Iris studied and received a diploma from York University to carry on doing this work. It was during one of these training sessions at York, that Iris got her nickname “Sparkle”. The story goes that late one night after a day of studying and a group dinner, Iris kicked off her shoes and exclaimed “I don’t begin to sparkle ‘til the stars come out!”. That is just one example of Iris’s character, humour, and love of life. After retirement in 1986, Iris and Rupe moved to Kitchener where they again made new friends and kept contact with their fellow northerners who had moved south. Iris was involved in the lives of her grandchildren who lived close by in Fergus. She delighted in sewing, knitting and baking for them. Iris was particularly skilled at baking butter tarts and was even recognized by Peter Gzowski on CBC radio for this talent. In their late 80s, Iris and Rupe transitioned to a retirement home in Guelph and then Iris, to Elora. Iris has always loved reading, been physically active, has been interested in politics, followed the news and remained very curious. These traits have continued despite reduced mobility, hearing and eyesight in later years. She remained clear thinking to the end, often reminding her children and grandchildren of things they had forgotten. She was very proud of them and their accomplishments, and they of hers. Iris will be missed by many. Iris is survived by her son Paul Banks (Eugenia and her son Ed), daughters Danelle Laidlaw and Jennifer Banks-Otto (Patrick Otto) and grandchildren Cameron Otto (Caitlin Lewis), Martin Otto (Alison Bond), Arlin Otto and great grandchildren Charlotte Anne Otto and Carys Iris Otto. Donations to Groves Memorial Community Foundation or the charity of your choice. Iris will be laid to rest beside Rupert in Nova Scotia.