Iris Dorothy Swidinski
1928 – 2024

Our dear mother Iris peacefully left us at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, at the age of 96 years.

Iris was born in Prince Albert, Sask., to Frederick and Alice Stuart. She was the youngest of five children including Helen Smith, Kathleen Lennox, Phyllis Stuart and Fred Stuart.

Iris spent her later childhood in Saskatoon, Sask., until she moved to Calgary to enter nursing school at the Holy Cross Hospital. After she graduated, she accepted a summer job to work as the nurse at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton, Alta. It was there that she met the love of her life and best friend, Albert Swidinski. They were married for 72 years until he passed away last August, and she has missed him terribly.

Iris enjoyed a long nursing career, first at the Holy Cross Hospital and then at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, where she finished up running the Orthopedic Outpatient Clinic. We all enjoyed many opportunities as a result of Mom’s amazing energy, organizing abilities, and a core belief that fun and family times were very important. During these working years there were also many wonderful trips for Mom and Dad down to Sun Valley to ski, or to their favourite beach in Mexico — a tradition still carried on by some family members.

After retirement Iris didn’t slow down! She helped Albert plan and build a beautiful log home near Rocky Mountain House, which included extensive gardens that gave her real joy. She liked nothing better than strolling through these gardens with her many grandchildren, admiring the beauty and picking fresh berries and vegetables for dinner.

Mom also managed to plan many exotic and amazing trips after retirement which often left her children worried about their parents returning. These trips included riding the Orient Express from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Beijing, China, hiking around Machu Picchu in Peru, travelling around East Asia and China, and driving down to their second home in Ajijic, Mexico, from Calgary while in their late 80s, as well as many cruises. But the place closest to Mom’s heart was the cabin at Crimson Lake, where she enjoyed the outdoors and sitting in her favourite chair after a busy day of activities with her family, friends and neighbours.

Iris is lovingly remembered by her four children: Patricia Wilson (Peter), Karen Brodie (Scot), Gordon Swidinski, and Mary Hastie (Scott), as well as numerous nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by Helen Smith of Red Deer, Alta.

Mom was the quiet glue that held us all together with her strong belief in family. “We will miss you.”

A public celebration of Iris’s life will be held at Parkland Funeral Home, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer, Alta., on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at 1 p.m. Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alta.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403-340-4040.