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Iva Muriel Howard

September 7, 2006

Howard, Iva Muriel

Iva (nee: Baldry) born January 12, 1916 passed away peacefully in Courtenay on September 7, 2006, at the grand age of 90. She was predeceased by her parents James and Laura Baldry, brothers: Raymond and William Baldry, brothers-in-law: Earl and Gordon Howard, sisters-in-law: Violet Ulmer and Eileen Fillinger. More recently, her husband and love of her life, Claude, passed away in March 2005. She is survived by her sons: James and Bill (caregivers Roland and Cori Emery) of Royston, her daughter Lauretta (Raymond Dyer) of Port Alberni, her grandchildren Mirranda, Alexander, Nicholas, Bevin and Tamara, and her great-granddaughter Paige. Her surviving extended family includes brothers-in-law: William (Mervyne) of Richmond, Lester of Burnaby, sisters-in-law: Yvonne (Joe Koslowski) of Calgary, Vivian Howard of Coquitlam, Kathleen Baldry of Surrey and Elizabeth (Betty) Baldry of Campbell River, as well as 15 nieces and nephews and their families.

Iva’s great love of family and celebrations was combined with her tremendous involvement in the community. She and Claude played crib with various clubs, belonged to the Royal Canadian Legion #17 as associate members, and to the Royston Lion’s Club for years. Above all she volunteered with the Beaufort Association for many activities but in particular she was the “queen” of their bowling league, scoring and helping with their teams and supporting her beloved Billy. Her talented piano playing was also in great demand at family, school and club events.

Born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Iva and her family spent many years following her father James’ carpentry jobs. The family moved to Vancouver in 1940 and James’ jobs eventually brought him to the Island at Oyster Bay. Meanwhile Iva worked as a secretary in Vancouver where fortunate circumstances brought her to meet the Howard family and Claude. Their marriage was followed by the birth of Lauretta and Jim in Vancouver. In 1954 they moved to the Island to operate Howard’s Mariner in Oyster Bay where Bill was born in 1958. After 14 years of hard work in the seaside restaurant, Iva, Claude and Bill moved to the Comox Valley where she began to work as a secretary at Union Bay Elementary School. Following her retirement in 1981, she and Claude enjoyed traveling and camping in their trailer while keeping close to their extended family and watching the grandchildren grow. For the last two years, Iva has been a resident of Glacier View Lodge in Comox. Her family extends a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff for the care they gave her there.

In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Beaufort Association, Quest Program, 536B-5th Street, Courtenay, B.C., V9N 1K3 would be appreciated.

A Memorial will be held to honor Iva’s life at the Comox Valley Funeral Home & Crematorium, 1101 Ryan Road, Courtenay on Saturday, September 16, 2006 at 2:00 pm. Tea to follow.



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