Iris I. Ivey

March 8, 1923 - November 24, 2012

Obituary

In Loving Memory

Iris I. Ivey

Iris Ione Ivey, age 89, of Seattle, Washington was born in Hillyard, Washington in 1923. She was the youngest of five children to parents Harry and Nell Stanton. Iris passed away peacefully November 24. She is survived by her children, Cecile Sparling and husband, Steve Sparling; William Ivey and wife Barb; Jan Fitterer; James Ivey and wife Beverly; Joseph Ivey and wife Pamela; and John Ivey and wife Sheryl and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandson, Christian Fitterer, preceded her in death.

Iris’s grandchildren are: (Cecile) Katherine Meyer, Kristine Kalkwarf, Stephenie Schultes and Joseph Kalkwarf; (Jan) Zane Fitterer and Aaron Fitter; (James) Jared Ivey, Tanya Ivey and Jordan Quinn; (Joseph) Brandon Ivey and Brett Ivey; and (John) Tyler Ivey, Amber Ivey, Alexandra Ivey, Katelyn Cianci, Victoria Cianci and Emily Cianci.

Upon graduating Kellogg High School in Idaho, Iris moved to Seattle to find work. There, at a dance in the spring of 1943, Iris met Cecil Ivey, whom she married. Throughout their marriage, they moved from naval base to naval base across the country and back, thus having children born at the far corners of the U.S.

Iris leaves behind a legacy of independent thinking, creativity, and a quick wit. Over the years she would immerse herself in many new activities, hobbies and adventures.

Iris always believed that her children, grandchildren and great-children could do anything. She would encourage us to try new things and how to “stick with a job” until it was finished. Often times she would stay up until the early hours to finish one of her projects. Some of her interests included making stained glass windows; oil painting; drawing; creating full size clay and wire models for holidays, and flower arranging.

Iris loved to swim and joined a swim club in her 60s, winning trophies. She decided she would like to get back into skiing and would ride the ski bus with friends to ski.

When Iris worked as a cook at the University of Washington cafeteria she bought a motor bike to ride back and forth to work. Showing off her new motor bike to me (daughter Cecile), she gave me the keys and insisted that I learn to drive it, right then, and expected me to drive around the block. I did.

One of Iris’s favorite adventures was ”Road Tripping the Pacific Northwest” in 2005, sponsored by her granddaughter, Katherine, along with great-grandsons, Henry and Herman, and me. We visited Iris’s former homes in Washington, Idaho and Montana; all the while tent camping.

Iris had a natural wit which was appreciated throughout her life by her family. In example, while I was replacing her clock battery in September and setting the clock time, Iris said “are you setting it back for me?” (Meaning, Mom was asking if I was turning the clock back, in time, so that she would be ‘younger’.)

Iris had her Lake City home basement remolded so she could board students while they attended the University of Washington. Some of the students kept in contact with her after graduating. They loved her cooking and her energy.

Iris was a devout and faithful Catholic who walked to Mass daily (about a five mile round trip from her home on Capitol Hill to Sacred Heart for several years, then later, from Capitol Hill to St. James Cathedral. She took pride in laundering the parish linens. In earlier years Iris would think of different ways to earn money to send some of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to Catholic schools. I still remember the little triangle head scarves Mom designed and sewed to earn money; my sister and I modeled and sold them.

Iris leaves behind a large family who loved her dearly, along with friends and the people who knew her. We will miss you, Mom.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. James Cathedral in Seattle at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 6th.

You are invited to share your favorite memories and comments with others by adding to Iris’s biographical journey on this website. How about a family reunion in 2013? Thank you.

Memories submitted by son Bill Ivey:

Iris I. Ivey

            My mom, Iris, was someone that truly cared about people and had unconditional love for her family, and oh, how she loved her dogs. When Mom had company you always felt welcomed with her warmth and vitality, and no one ever left hungry, Countless guests would always comment on how neat and nice Mom was.

            When Mom hosted foreign students going to the University of Washington, they knew they had a home away from home and some stayed in contact with her years later.

            Mom was never pretentious and always dressed impeccably; having a personal assistant from Nordstroms to make sure she had what suited her taste in clothing. Yes, it was important in how she looked and presented herself, but more important to her was that her six children be clean and presentable.

            Hate was a word that was never used in her vocabulary. And never once did I ever hear Mom utter a swear word, and heaven forbid, use God’s name in vain. I can hear her now, after one time C.W., my dad, took his belt to my behind, and sent me to my room. Mom would always come in and try to console me. This one and only time I told her I hated my dad. Mom set me straight right away. First, she said, he’s your father, and secondly, he was created by God and you don’t hate God’s creations. As simple and profound as that statement was, I still think about it when someone is hurt.

            Mom was deeply religious and instilled in all of us at an early age how important it was to attend Mass. But Mom wasn’t a Bible thumper. She was a person who always spoke positively and showed her love by doing for others, and volunteering at the Church or Goodwill. She never expected anything in return, and never pressed me for loans she made to me.

            Confiding in Mom I could always find strength, wisdom and comfort. Mom always expected the truth from me and from early on I found it impossible to try to deceive her. The most Mom gave me was her undivided and unconditional love.

            Mom was beautiful in all ways and she was my best friend. My payback to her was always being there for her, while at the same time, not feeling a need to hear me express my love for her.

 Memories submitted by daughter Jan Fitterer:

 Iris Ione Ivey

 Iris Ione Ivey, daughter of Nellie Lynch Stanton and Harold B. Stanton, was born in 1923 in Hillyard, Washington. Upon completing school she left home to follow her sisters, Eileen Stanton and Mildred Stanton Acuff, and brother, Louis Stanton, to Seattle for work.

 There, at a dance in the spring of 1943, Iris met Cecil W. Ivey, born and raised in Marion, Alabama, found himself sitting at the dining room table in the home of her parents to ask for her hand in marriage. She was left behind when Cecil, stationed at San Diego NAS, returned there, and planning for the wedding.

 She was to travel by train to San Diego where in a nearby Catholic Church they were married. Soon he was again at sea on an aircraft carrier.

 During those years Iris would have many friends, homes and parishes. From West Coast to East Coast and back. But the one constant for her was summers in Alabama and trips back to the Northwest.

 Iris left her beloved downtown condominium and her parishes of Sacred Heart and St. James Cathedral where she attended daily Mass. In the Summer of 2009  she moved to live at The Stratford at Maple Leaf Retirement Home located not too far from her Lake City family home.

 Her life was devoted to her “Blessed Mary”, her sisters and brother and their families, and the close relationship to her mother Nell.

 Iris’ lifetime consisted of dancing, sports, swimming, skiing and travel as well as following football, basketball and baseball religiously.

 Her passions were politics and with “Hardball” (Chris Matthews), the daily newspapers and her independence.

 Iris’ children continue to live in the Northwest enjoying these passions of faith, close ties, and community.

 A vigil Mass was held at St. James Cathedral on December 6, 2012 and interned at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Seattle.

 Iris was proceeded in death by her brothers, Harry and Louis, and sisters, Eileen ad Mildred, and nephews Tom Stanton, Dennis Acuff and grandson, Christian Fitterer.

 

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Daniel Shea
Daniel Shea
5 years ago

I am so sorry to here of Mrs. Ivey’s passing. My family grew up just around the corner from her in the Maple Leaf area, and we good friend with john. She was always such a sweet lady and would take us down to the Sand Point Naval Station for swim lessons and an occassional movie at the base. I also remember she had a fantastic vegtable garden that she was very proud of. My condolences to the entire family.

Beverly Ivey
Beverly Ivey
5 years ago

Iris welcomed me into her Family in 1995 when I married her son James. She was always so kind and gracioustowards me.

From day one she made me feel like I was one of her Family.

I will miss her sweet smile and Kind Heart.

Karen Ivey
Karen Ivey
5 years ago

I have been around a lot of holy souls but never have I been so close to God as Iris….my two adorable girls Amber and Alexandra have been blessed with attending St.Pius X school up to their fifth grade…As a mother I have never been more blessed and experienced the supernatural presence Iris (my mother in law) helped me understand…..Amber and Alex and I to this day love the supernatural existence their WONDERFUL GRANDMOTHER helped us through understanding GOD….

Lin Gillan
Lin Gillan
5 years ago

My condolences to the Ivey family….

I went to St. James to pass some time before my doctors appt. at Swedish hospital. I thought there would be a noon Holy Mass. There was no daily Mass but a funeral mass. I stayed for the funeral and learned about the life of Mrs. Ivey.

What a wonderful soul she must have been. She loved her faith, and knew the greatest gift on Earth…the Holy Eucharist.

She often went to daily Mass to receive this most wonderful gift. I am sure she will be missed as she probably touched many souls she came in contact with, spreading the Love of Jesus to all she met. Though I didnt meet her in person, I feel I know her and will pray for the repose of her soul. I lost my mom two months ago and they have alot in common….mainly living their lives centered around their faith. Thank You Mrs. Ivey for touching so many lives, mine included.

Ethel Rose Shea
Ethel Rose Shea
5 years ago

We were so sorry to hear of the death of Iris. For many years we lived a few houses away from Iris and her family in the Maple Leaf area. Our son Mike and John were good friends. Over many years I took a picture of our 6 kids going off to school and John was always in the picture because he was one of our family. Iris and I attended many Altar Society meetings as St. Catherine. She was an amazing woman who was always trying out a new adventure like skiiing and riding a motorcycle. I remember one day she decided to teach me how to drive a car and the next thing I knew she had me driving on the freeway (this was my first time behind the wheel of a car) I thought I would have a heart attack. I never did get enough nerve to go out for a second lesson.

Iris shared good advice on how to be a good wife and mother. She was always so kind to our children, taking them to swimming lessons and taking our son Mike to their cabin on Black Lake (I think that is the right name). Please be assured that all of Iris’s family is in our prayers. At this time we are in CA and so we were not able to attend the funeral mass. With much love to all the Ivey family from Harold and Ethel Rose Shea , Erin, Dan, Mike, Pat, Tim and Harold

Robin Ivey-Black
Robin Ivey-Black
5 years ago

We are sorry for Iris’s passing. She was a great aunt who was progressively minded even her elder years or maybe more so in her older years. I appreciated her taking time to talk to me and support me in my endeavors and her appreciation of my helping my family. She also told me a couple stories of Alabama which were a revelation to me about my Grandpa Ivey, whom I always had a hard time understanding. She said when she was young she would argue with Mama Ivey about Catholicism verses the Baptist religion. At one point, Grandpa Ivey said to Iris, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” Also, she said Grandpa would eat fruit and then walk around in the yard and bury the pit, in order to hopefully grow a tree.

So, we are all thinking about you dear cousins and family of Iris. Love, Robin, Greg, Tom, Howard, and Hank

Joel Nicholson
Joel Nicholson
5 years ago

Jan

Although late in seeing this my thoughts tonight are of you. I only met your mother once but she made me feel so welcome in her home. It seems she lived a full and lovely life and was loved by you all.

Joe