Iris Wilhelmina Annie Doney (nee Scott)

1921 – 2008

On Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at Boundary Trails Health Centre, Iris Doney of Morden, MB aged 86 years went to her eternal rest.

Iris was born in London, England on October 13, 1921 in a house "behind Waterloo Station" as she used to say. Her mother had been a nurse and her father was a military man, a Sergeant Major in the Black Watch Regiment. She was the middle child of three, with a younger brother, Malcolm and predeceased by her older sister Jill. At about age 4, Iris and her family moved to the country in Surrey where she grew up to enjoy nature and the outdoors. She always loved animals even though a horse tried to eat her hair! At age 15, Iris received a certificate of merit for an essay on "Kindness to Animals" from the RSPCA. At age 14, she worked part time for a creamery at which time her dad gave her a Raleigh bicycle so that she could ride the 12 miles a day. She must have cherished that bike a lot, because her son, Malcolm still has it in safe keeping.

At age 20 in 1941, the family moved to Carshalton, Surrey. She joined the WAAF's (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) at that time. She had many adventures and made friends with whom she kept in touch with over the years. One of her responsibilities was to deliver parts by plane to various air fields. Iris had to turn a crank to lift and lower the landing gear. It must have been quite a feat for a petite 5' 2" gal. She was discharged from the service in 1946.

During the war, her sister married a Canadian serviceman, John Doney in London. Iris met John's brother, Frank at that time. In 1948, she boarded the "Aquitania" bound for Canada and went to live at Lethbridge, Alberta with her sister and brother-in-law and two nieces. She got a job in a ladies' dress shop and later specialized as a graduate corsetiere. In 1951, she moved to Winnipeg and worked at The Bay until she married Frank Doney in 1953. At that time they moved to the family farm in Thornhill. Iris had much to learn as a farm wife. Eventually two children, Malcolm and Susan were born. They all enjoyed the farm until 1965 when they moved to Morden. Iris became involved in the Morden Horticultural Society as she loved her beautiful "English style" garden. She liked to entertain. She often had ladies over for a proper English tea party. On special occasions, she went "all out" to set a beautiful table and cook a meal with all the trimmings. Her house brimmed over with memorabilia from trips to England and her family heritage. She revisited her homeland many times.

She worked at Simpson's mail order office and at Appelt's Jewelery in the 1960's and then worked at the Elementary School library. She joined the Morden Town Library and was known as the "library lady" until she retired. She continued to garden enthusiastically until they moved into the Elk's Manor in 2002. Iris was a long serving life member of the Royal Canadian Legion. She enjoyed writing letters and keeping in touch with family and friends worldwide.

Iris was devoted wife, mother and aunt and will be fondly remembered by her husband, Frank Doney of Morden, children, Malcolm and Cheryl of Thornhill, Susan and Murray Braun of Morden, grandchildren, Keila, Adam, and Jackie; nieces, Rosemary Wishart and Heather Doney; brother, Malcolm Scott and niece, Susan Harvey.

A private family memorial service was held on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 3:00 pm at Wiebe Funeral Chapel in Morden.  If friends so desire, donations may be made in Iris’ memory to Boundary Trails Health Centre Box 2000 Winkler, MB R6W 1H8.

Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden in care of arrangements.