We Remember
WASYLENKO, Iris
October 27, 1930 — November 15, 2024
Iris Catherine Wasylenko (née Karpish) of Kelowna, BC passed away peacefully at Sun Pointe Village care facility on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the age of 94.
Iris was born on the farm in Honeymoon, SK on October 27, 1930, one of 8 children. She attended Business College in Prince Albert and shortly after graduation in 1949 moved to Thunder Bay, ON to join her Aunt Marie. There she met Steve, and they were married in August 1951. Over the next several years, two children were born to Steve and Iris. Early years for the young family were busy and social – filled with picnics and parties, hockey, and piano lessons. Iris managed it all while working, eventually for 38 years, for the Income Tax and Unemployment Agencies as they were known at that time.
Iris had an open-door policy, often setting an extra plate or two at the table and making up a spare bed for a guest. She was a great cook and a prolific baker. Her cold room was full of beautiful jars of produce canned from the garden, and the number of birthday cakes created over the decades cannot be counted. Her creativity was evident in her knitting and her skills as a seamstress. Iris was a card shark – always willing to take your nickels at Pay Me.
She devoted many willing hours cooking in the basement of St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church to raise funds for the church she loved. Iris loved to sing and was a member of the choir at her home church and with the Prosvita choir.
She loved to travel, especially with a group of friends and family. Iris loved her “people”; it was often hard to know who was friend and who was family, as the lines were often blurred.
In later years, Mom faced life changing adversity and health issues with courage and grace. Our sincere thanks to those who cared for her with such kindness, compassion, and respect – most recently at Sun Pointe.
Iris is survived by her daughter, Diane (Barry) of Kelowna; son, Murray (Jennifer) of Toronto, ON; grandsons, David and Steven; and numerous extended family. She was predeceased by brothers Peter, Bill, and Buddy; sisters Mary, Lucy, Helen, and Olga; as well as some cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
We love you Mom/Baba, and we will treasure our memories of you forever.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BC Cancer – Kelowna – Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
A Memorial Service will be held on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM (PST), at FAMILY CENTRE at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC.
Interment to lay her to rest in Thunder Bay is planned for the future.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
Service
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM (PST)
Location
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME - Family Centre
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Service Details
The service for WASYLENKO, Iris is scheduled for FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM (PST). Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
So sorry to hear. Loved the photo, it is how I remember her. I have great memories of Aunty Iris & Uncle Steve and the bar in the basement of the house in Thunder Bay. They were always so kind to us. Sending hugs and love from our family.
We will hold so many happy memories in our hearts for you. You were my big Mama and a Baba to my kids. You always had a place in your heart and home for us. We love you and hope you and Mr. Steve are together once again.
Love from Loralee, Tyler, and Amanda❤️