It is with great sadness that the family of Iris announce her passing on Monday 16 November 2020. Iris, who died peacefully in her sleep after a short illness, was able to spend her final months at home supported by her family and friends, for which she was very grateful.

Iris was born in South Birmingham and, apart from a short spell in the Land Army on Anglesey, lived, worked and brought up her family with her husband Tom in Sutton Coldfield, just north of Birmingham. In 1987 she retired from her administrative role at Aston University and, with Tom, moved to Wiltshire; firstly to Bradford-on-Avon and then to Trowbridge in 2010.

Iris was very involved with activities after her retirement; volunteering with the Bradford Tourist Information Centre and taking up cycling. Land’s End to John O’Groats, Bordeaux to Barcelona across the Pyrenees, and Kraków to Budapest were just a few of the cycling trips that Iris undertook with Tom.

As many of her friends will know, Iris was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about gardening. Iris first became interested in gardening when, as a girl, she helped her father to grow tomatoes in their back garden during the Second World War. This was followed, a few years later, with a spell in the Land Army. After marrying, Iris transformed building sites into gardens at the first two (new build) properties where the family lived. Her enthusiasm never waned and, after her move to “Barton Steps” in Bradford, she created a beautiful exotic garden. This however was not enough for Iris and so she involved herself in other gardening projects; landscaping, raising plants for charity sales, organising garden visits for the U3A and latterly supporting the charity Plantlife.

Despite ill health over the last few months, Iris continued to take a passionate interest in her garden; sometimes just directing operations or instructing helpers, but also often picking her own home-grown produce. It will come as no surprise to those who knew Iris well that she was still potting up cuttings just a couple of days before she passed away.

Mum/grandma will be much missed by her five children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The immediate family would like to thank extended family, friends and Dorothy House for all the wonderful support Iris has been given over the last few months. We know it was appreciated by our Mum and it was certainly appreciated by us too. The family request, in line with the wishes of Iris, that there should only be family flowers at the funeral. If friends would like to make a donation, in lieu of a floral tribute, to her chosen charity Plantlife it would be much appreciated.