Obituary of Iris Mae McVean

June 15, 1929 - Lethbridge, Alberta

July 11, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Iris passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at the remarkable age of 94. She was a much loved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend.

Iris grew up in Lethbridge, Alberta (nee Iris Gowin) and completed high school there in 1948. She went on to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where she studied journalism for one year. She returned to Lethbridge in 1949 and worked at a radio station as a copy writer, a job she loved. During this time she had many friends and they often went dancing on the weekends. On one weekend in April of 1950, she had a blind date with a young man who had just graduated from UBC. That man was Bruce McVean and it was love at first sight for both of them. They were married in October of that year and moved to Calgary where Bruce had an articling job in an accounting firm. 

Iris had the first of her five children the following year, and while Bruce worked hard to provide for them, she became a very busy young mother. As the family grew, so did her involvement in various groups and clubs. She had Sewing Club, Bridge Club, Curling Club and Kinette’s. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels for years. Some how she managed all this while raising five children and providing them with a loving home, always making sure that birthdays and Christmas were extra special.

As Bruce was also involved in many clubs and charities, they made many friends along the way, friendships they would keep for their entire lives. They were an extremely social couple and Iris loved nothing more than getting all dressed up for the many fancy dinners and parties they attended. She was a style maven, always dressed beautifully and looking her best!

Sometime in the 1960’s, Bruce and Iris took their first trip to Europe, and they were hooked with the travel bug. They took many more trips to Europe and beyond, favouring Cruises as a way to see the world. Iris was an avid traveller, always looking to book the next destination once she returned home. She was so very fortunate to see a large part of the world and of course, more friends were made along the way. Her favourite place though was Maui, where they owned a condo. They travelled there every year for almost 30 years; it was a home away from home.

Iris’s first grandchild was born in 1988 and she took on her new role as grandmother with relish. Four more grandchildren followed over the years and she cherished each one. Her home was a sanctuary for all and became a place filled with wonderful memories. She was a fantastic hostess and cook, making entertaining look like the easiest thing in the world; dinner parties, celebrations, gatherings large and small were her forte, always orchestrating everything perfectly.

Iris loved reading, curling, golf, tennis, bridge, dancing, entertaining, cooking and meeting people. She had a quick wit and a sharp mind and was always interested in what was going on around her. She had many, many friends and worked at keeping those friendships alive. She lived her life with grace and elegance, yet never wanted to be in the spotlight. She never wore her heart on her sleeve but loved deeply. She was an incredible role model to all who met her, and she will be deeply and profoundly missed.

She leaves behind her son Ian (Debra); daughters, Susan, Karen (Michael) and Cathy; as well as her five grandchildren, Conor, Mikaela, Ryan, Lauren and Katrin. She was predeceased by her husband of 71 years, Bruce and her eldest daughter, Lorraine.

A Private Funeral Service will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB). Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at www.MHFH.com.

In living memory of Iris McVean, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.