IRIS CALLIS

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IRIS CALLIS

(nee BUDD)

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Iris Callis on May 24, 2024, at the age of 93. Iris passed peacefully at home in Wildwood Park, surrounded by her beloved family.

Iris was born in Holland, Manitoba on April 7, 1931, to Myrtle and Gordon Budd. She was fond of country life, but at age 16 moved to Winnipeg on her own where she attended Daniel McIntyre school for part of grade eleven. Iris returned home to complete high school and care for her mother who had been injured in a car accident. She subsequently moved back to Winnipeg for work at the Canadian Wheat Board on Main Street which also became her social network.

In 1950 she met the love of her life Ken Callis. Their courtship and love were fostered on the Sargent Park tennis courts, where most days after work they played until dark. They were married in October 1953 and soon bought a house in Wildwood Park where they raised their family. Iris and Ken celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary last October.

Iris enjoyed playing the keyboard, crossword puzzles, games, sewing, bridge and art. Painting brought her the greatest joy. All surfaces were fair game – canvasses, furniture, rocks, postcards, anything she could put a brush on! She loved colour. She loved flowers. She loved her family and friends. Iris had a smile for everyone she met and was not shy about unleashing that infectious laugh! Annual camping adventures replete with themes, costumes and zany games, with a group of friends known as the “Up the River Gang” were very special to her.

Iris and Ken spent many winters at warm locales, but her favourite vacation spot was Falcon Lake where she and family spent the last 64 summers. Iris was a long-time member of the Wildewood Club and Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club where she enjoyed many years of curling and golf and tennis. Iris was an original inductee to the Manitoba Ringette Hall of Fame as a builder. She organized and coached the first team in Manitoba.

Iris was an optimistic, upbeat person whose greatest pleasure was being with family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and loyal friend. She will be dearly missed by her husband Ken, children, Budd, Jana-Lea and Rob (Patti), grandchildren, Oliver (Lindsay), Avery and Liam (Michaela) and great-grandchildren, Millie, Max and Penelope. She was predeceased by her brother Clayton Budd earlier this year and will also be missed by his family.

She leaves a warm glowing ember in our hearts.

Afterglow

I'd like the memory of me

to be a happy one.

I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve,

to dry before the sun:

Of happy memories that I leave

when life is done.

Carol Merkel

In keeping with her wishes, there will be no formal service.

The family extends our warmest thanks to friends and neighbours for their kind support.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 01, 2024, Jun 01, 2024