IRIS MILNE (MacDONALD) HOWARD Iris Howard, 84, of Emo, Ont., passed away unexpectedly at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003. She was born Feb. 2, 1919 in Mason, Wis. to the late Donald and Ruth MacDonald. Iris was the eldest of a fun-loving family of nine. She grew up along the river in Aylesworth Township. She married her lifetime companion, Fred, in 1940. They moved to many training bases during WWII. During that tour, Bryan was born in Debert, N.S., Fred was shipped overseas, and Iris lived in Newfoundland with the Howards until she returned to Fort Frances. Iris taught school in Dance, Devlin, and Carpenter before retiring to raise her family of five as well as help Fred develop the farm north of Barwick into a dairy operation. In 1971, with Fred’s health failing, they moved to Emo, where she has resided since. Iris had been affiliated with the Anglican Church, the Evangelical Covenant Church, and the Women’s Institute, and was active in many community services and events. She was the last curator of the Tweedsmuir History Project book, “Vanishing Homesteads.” She curled into her 70s, and she loved to play the piano at gatherings of family and friends. She also loved to paint and enter her paintings at the fall fair, winning many first prizes, as well as an honourable mention in the 1997 W.I. centennial plate design contest. She also was gifted with a flair for writing. Iris had a loving relationship with everyone, especially enjoying her grandchildren. Her faith in Jesus Christ was the guiding light in her life. She was predeceased by her husband, Fred in 1976; son, Doug in 1992; brother, Stuart; and sisters, Lorraine Johnston, Georgina Daniels, Helen Hughes, and Renee McCaig. She is survived by sons, Bryan of Kenora, Ont., and Derick and wife, Rita, of Kakabeka Falls, Ont.; daughters, Ruth and husband, Bob Teeple of Blackhawk, Ont., and Ava Howard of Calgary, Alta.; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by sisters, Phyllis Spillers of Minneapolis, Mn., and Donna and husband, Fred Day, of International Falls, Mn.; brother, Archie and wife, Pat, of Ramona, Calif.; brother-in-law, Noel Howard of Tangler, N.S.; sister-in-law, Ada LaShana of St. John’s, Nfld.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 19, 2003 at 11 a.m. at the Christian Reformed Church in Emo. Lay pastor Larry Arch and Rev. Eileen Bragg will officiate, with interment in Chapple Cemetery in Barwick, Ont. Friends may visit Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003 from 7-9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, Ont., and from 10-11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, 2003 at the Christian Reformed Church in Emo. Pallbearers will be Ray Kehler, Len Howard, Dave Ladoucer, Howard Teeple, Don Howard, and Jim Teeple. Honourary pallbearers will be all of Iris’ friends and family. Should family and friends so desire, donations may be made to the Gideon Bible Society or to any Christian charity of your choosing.