Iris Ruby Schofield (nee Almond)

A graveside service will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Evergreen Memorial Gardens at 1:00pm. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed by registering at the link below.

With sadness we announce that Iris Ruby Schofield (nee Almond) passed away peacefully, with family by her side, on Tuesday, April 21 2026 at the age of 98.

Iris was pre-deceased by her husband, Sydney Schofield, who passed in 1979, as well as by her parents Harold and Irene Almond and five siblings. Iris is also survived by her children Steve (Ann) of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Patricia (Les), Don, Graham (Teresa), and Teri (Joe) all of whom reside in BC, grandchildren Krista, Scott, Cameron, Spencer, Brooke, Timothy, Graydon, and cherished nieces, nephews and friends.

Iris was born in Montreal on September 8, 1927. In her youth, she spent a lot of time with her family, sharing many happy memories of them singing while her dad played the piano. She attended Drummond Elementary and William Dawson High School in Montreal.

Her employment in Montreal in the war years was with Federal Aircraft (World War II), Noorduyn Aircraft and Drummond Mcall (post war). She loved to go to dancing with her sisters where she eventually met a handsome military man, Sydney Schofield, and they were married on September 25, 1948. They lived in Montreal, raising their growing family until 1966, when they were relocated to the base in Goose Bay, Labrador and then to Portage la Prairie in 1967.

Iris embraced life in Portage and became a very dedicated member of Trinity United Church and a faithful member of the United Church Women. She spent many hours at the church either working, volunteering or singing in the choir. She gained numerous cherished and lasting friendships within the congregation.

Iris was a lifelong active volunteer for a variety of organizations in Portage and beyond, which included the Peace Movement, Brownie’s and Girl Guides, Sunset Palliative Care, Meals on Wheels, as well as Cancer Care Manitoba where she drove many Portagers to their appointments in Winnipeg.

One of the most used words to describe Iris is kind—she was always there for anyone having a hard time. She would drop anything she was doing to pay a visit or invite them for dinner. She would take goodies to people who could not get out and would give them as much of her time as they needed.

While Iris was still able, she travelled frequently to Montreal and B.C to visit her children, grandchildren and other extended family which made her so happy, and she was always looking forward to her next trip.

Never letting age be a factor, at the age of 78 she pursued education at the University of Winnipeg and obtained her Certificate in Theology. Up until her early 80’s, Iris lived independently, caring for a half-acre of yard and garden, cutting her own grass, weeding, planting and ensuring the many birds were well fed. She was very proud of her gardens and the yard at the Peony Farm.

Even though she dealt with dementia in her later years, this never robbed her of her sense of humour, her strong will and desire to be independent. At the Lion’s Manor, where she resided for the past 10 years, Iris was always engaged with music taking part in the sing-a-longs and church services. One could always find Iris in the hall, signing or humming some of her old favorites and she would be happy to have you sing along with her. She would always greet you with a big smile and in her later years, the greeting would include “Bonjour” and “Tres Bien”, even though French was not a language she spoke fluently but a remembrance from her young life in Montreal.

We would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to all of the staff at the Lion’s Manor who showed Iris the greatest respect, always ensuring she was well cared for and that her dignity was intact. You were her extended family, and we will always remember the small, thoughtful moments: the warm conversations, the gentle reassurance, and the consistent attention to her needs.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Evergreen Memorial Gardens at 1:00pm. The service will be livestreamed and may be viewed by registering at the link below.

If friends so wish, donations in memory of Iris can be made to Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper St. S., Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 1W7 or to the Lions Prairie Manor Foundation 24 9th St. S.E., Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3V4.

“I am standing on the seashore.

A ship spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean,

She is an object of beauty and I stand watching her until at last she fades on the horizon, and someone at my side says, 

“She is gone”.Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all.

The loss of sight is mine, in myself, not in her, and just at that moment when someone says,

“She is gone”, there are others who are watching her coming.

Other voices take up the glad shout “Here she comes!”

A tree will be planted and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 204-857-4021.