In the dark hours before dawn on Sunday September 4, 2022, Iris Anna Styran departed from this life. She was comfortable and peaceful, with her husband Allen Reynolds at her side. She was cared for at the Victoria Hospice in the last weeks of her 7 year battle with cancer, and she was well supported by family, friends, and professionals in her final journey. Iris was laid to rest on Wednesday September 14, in the Natural Burial Section of the Royal Oak Burial Park in Saanich, British Columbia.
Iris was born on December 13, 1953 in Windsor, Ontario to Michael Styran and Doris Styran, both of whom had come to Canada from the Ukraine. Upon graduating from F. J. Brennan Catholic High School, she studied at the University of Windsor, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours. This was followed by extensive travels in Europe, Israel, and Egypt. Iris then moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, to continue her study of Art at Tulane University, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts in painting, drawing and sculpture.
In New Orleans, she met Allen, and after a time, they married and settled in Calgary, Alberta. There Iris taught Fine Arts at the University of Calgary and at Mount Royal College. She spent one winter teaching in the remote Inuit community of Coral Harbour, located in the northern Hudson Bay, as an instructor for the Arctic College.
After a move to Vancouver, BC, Iris and Allen earned Bachelor of Education degrees at the University of British Columbia. Iris then taught in the Burnaby School District at Burnaby North Secondary, and also at Arts Umbrella, a Fine Arts school for children on Granville Island in Vancouver.
The couple then moved to the Fraser Valley, living in Mission and then in Abbotsford, where they both taught at Yale Secondary School in Abbotsford for nearly 20 years. Iris taught traditional studio arts and media arts, and served as Fine Arts Department Head for 3 years. She loved teaching students the Principles of Art and Design, exposing them to great art, and encouraging them to discover their own creative expression. Iris particularly enjoyed teaching the Advanced Placement Art classes.
Iris retired from public school teaching in 2015, and she and Allen moved to Vancouver Island, living for a time in Duncan, and then in Victoria. Iris worked as a volunteer, and then as staff member at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, where she served as a Gallery Representative in Admissions, and in the Gallery Shop.
Those who knew Iris will remember her bubbly laugh, her somewhat shy eagerness to engage with people, and her passionate responses to the world at large. Iris had a subtly subversive sense of humour, which was expressed in her artwork and in conversation, offering an unexpected angle on familiar images and ideas. People will remember her blue eyes, warm smile, and her beautiful long, wavy, blonde/gray hair.
Iris described the arts as “a life-long passion”, and loved visiting art galleries, and attending live theatre and music. She enjoyed making both artistic and practical items, decorating her homes, gardening, and relaxing with her beloved cats. Iris read prodigiously, and was a formidable Scrabble player. She loved the outdoors, and enjoyed hiking, cycling, paddling, camping and backpacking.
Iris was predeceased by her father, Michael Styran. She is survived by her husband, Allen; her mother, Doris; her brother Michael; her sister Christine; and her brother Terry.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 2:00 PM, at McCall Gardens Funeral Home, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC. The link below will bring you to Iris’ memorial website which can take rsvp’s for the service.
http://everloved.com/life-of/iris-styran/
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal, or to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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