Obituary of Iris Bales

BALES, Iris Vivian Born in Claresholm, Alberta on April 16, 1918, died in Toronto, Ontario on June 12, 2012 in her 95th year. Iris was the daughter of Julia Soby and Adolph Amundsen, who were wheat farmers of Norwegian descent. She was predeceased by her brothers Dr. Roy Amundsen, Owen Amundsen and Dr. Wayne Amundsen and by her sister Audrey Scaman. She is survived by her sisters Betty Milne, Shirley Ruzesky and Joan Simpson. Iris graduated as a home economist with a B.Sc. in Food Chemistry from the University of Alberta. She did further studies at the University of Toronto and then worked in Toronto for Muirheads Restaurants, the Campbell Soup Company, the Canadian Red Cross teaching British war brides the ways of a Canadian household and then Frigidaire, demonstrating new appliances. In 1951, Iris married Dalton 'Peter' Bales. In addition to raising their children, Karon and Joe, and supporting Dalton in his law practice and in his political career as a Councilor and then Controller in North York, the MPP for York Mills and a Cabinet Minister in the Robarts and Davis Cabinets, Iris became a skilled weaver. She was a member of the Toronto Spinners and Weavers (North End Group), the Toronto Home Economic Association, and the United Church Women's Group at Newtonbrook United Church. Following Dalton's sudden death in October 1979, Iris relied on her extensive network of friends and relatives - she travelled widely, enjoyed summers at the Bales family cottage on Sturgeon Lake in the Kawarthas and entertained frequently. She relished the time she spent with her grandchildren, other members of her extended family and her many friends in Toronto, Alberta and British Columbia. In her later years, Iris resided at The Bradgate Arms, and then the Seniors Health Centre, where she was well looked after by the excellent and caring staff. Iris is survived by her daughter Karon Bales (Charles Beall), her son Joe Bales, her grandchildren Alexander and Christina Turner and Emily, Ben and Oliver Bales, her step-grandson Christopher Beall and her great-granddaughter Julia Beall. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES CHAPEL LIMITED, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 14. Funeral service will be held in NEWTONBROOK UNITED CHURCH, 53 Cummer Avenue, North York on Friday, June 15 at 11:00 a.m. If desired, memorial donations made to the Dalton and Iris Bales Research Fund, North York General Hospital Foundation, 4001 Leslie Street, Toronto M2K 1E1 would be appreciated. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.