Iris Jane Johnston

February 24, 1948 ~ November 22, 2016

Iris Johnston of Lethbridge, passed quietly into the night of November 22, 2016. She was a kind and thoughtful person, always ready to offer help, initiate laughter and provide a good home to needy animals. From childhood, Iris enjoyed sports and as an adult pitched for softball teams in Calgary, skipped curling and enjoyed kayaking, camping and walking trails.

As a pharmacist, Iris worked across Alberta, BC and Saskatchewan and locally at Draffin’s and Loblaw’s pharmacies. Early in her career, Iris worked in North Battleford where she developed a lifelong respect for Native cultures, arts and philosophies.

Iris was deeply committed to sharing and was a generous supporter of charities like SPCA, Nature Conservancy, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Operation Eyesight, Alzheimer’s and loyal contributor to her alma mater, the U. of Saskatchewan. She was blessed with a green thumb and grew a lovely garden and healthy house plants. Iris was happiest in the garden, weeding, nurturing and carefully experimenting with the best techniques for producing rich compost to feed her green projects.

Iris lived a fine and varied life cut all too short by cancer. She is predeceased by her mother (Henrietta Thurston), father (William Johnston) and Brother Doug, survived by brothers Gerald (Hettie), Carl (Karen) and Denny (Barb), as well as numerous much loved nieces and nephews and her partner, Nicola Miller.

A Celebration of Iris’ Life will be held at a later date and this summer her ashes will be showered on the family farm near Rosetown, Saskatchewan.

Thank you to nurses, navigators and doctors at Jack Ady Cancer Centre and to nurses, doctors, staff and volunteers at St. Michael’s Palliative Care who offered care.