Iris Adams Obituary (1932

IRIS AMELIA ADAMS born August 7, 1932 in London, departed this world June 12, 2015 The tiniest baby was born into the family of Bill and Ivy Williamson August 7th 1932. She weighed in at only 2.5 lbs. In 1932 there were no incubators, the nurses put the baby aside to die. Iris's grandmother hurried to the hospital in Rotherhithe, London, and told them "where there is breath there is life". Iris Amelia Williamson was saved and raised by her grandmother where she lived with her mom (Ivy) and dad (Bill). Iris was their 8th and last child. At age 36 in 1934 Ivy came down with Tuberculosis and died, leaving Bill with 8 children to raise. The family was very close although Iris never grew up to know her mother. Bill remarried. His second wife's name was Violet and together they had a child, Pamela. Iris's father was a dairyman and had a thousand customers. Iris often recalled how hard he worked to keep the family together. Iris had the following siblings, Kath Kite (Joe) Kidbrooke, London, Toni Porter (Tom) Blackheath, London, Bill Williamson (Nancy) Mandurah, Austrailia, Lana Reyes (Paul) Chula Vista, Calif., Joyce Spooner (George) North Balga, Australia, John Williamson (Ada) Norfolk, England, George Williamson (Joyce) Tasmania, Pam Spooner (John) Preston Beach, Australia World War II was to change Iris's life forever. She was 7 years old when the war started. In 1939 Iris was evacuated from East London and sent to Brighton, then on to Devon and up north to Stroke on Trent. Iris wanted to return home to East London and did. When the London Blitz started East London was hit the hardest. Their house was hit by an incendiary bomb. Her dad relocated the family to Brockley, by Lewisham, London about 2.5 miles from the Deptford docks which ended up saving the families lives. Iris vividly recalled the War. There were day and night indiscriminate bombings, they lived on rations, 2 eggs per person, per month. Two outfits of clothing per person per year and so on. Iris recalled collecting shrapnel with the other kids, there wasn't much school due to the bombings. On Sundays the family would put their ration books together so that they could have a meal together with meat. Iris was 12 years old when the war ended V-E Day, May 1945. At age 12 Iris moved from her parent's home to her sister Kath's in Kidbrooke, London. In January of 1949 Iris the adventurer decided to join her sister Lana in America. She was 16. Iris boarded the MSBatory for New York. Arriving in New York she travelled by train to her sister Lana's home in Ohio. Later they drove across country to settle in California. Iris was terribly home sick but at the urging of her sister Lana stayed in the States. Iris got a job as a nurse's aide in Merced California at the hospital. She really enjoyed her patients and made friends easily. She had very fond memories of her hospital work. Iris meet her future husband Les while attending a dance. The rest was history. They were married at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Merced, California a year later. They had two children, Melody in 1951 and Michael in 1953. Iris and the kids were able to travel to England on several occasions and each time they really enjoyed the company of extended family and all things English. In 1965 Les and Iris bought their home in the Renton Highlands where she lived for 50 years. Iris had many joys in life, her children, grandchildren, tea, dogs & cats , tea, good friends, gardening, tea, and of course extended family. Iris was preceded in death by her beloved husband Les Adams January 2012. They were married 62 years. Iris was devoted to her family which included her animals. She was a kind, loving, resourceful English woman to the end. There will never be another Iris. She will be sorely missed. Remaining family include, her daughter Melody Adams-Forsstrom (Paul) , her son Michael Adams(Cathy), Grandchildren - John Doll(Nancy), Alena Doll, Sam Adams. One remaining sister Joyce Spooner along with numerous nieces, nephews and close friend Mary Hamilton. Melody would like to note that her mom taught her courage, toughness, thriftiness, fortitude, love, generosity, forgiveness and most of all kindness. Interment Wednesday July 1, 2015 , 10:15am at Tahoma National Cemetery Reception Wednesday July 1, 2015 , 11:00am at Edline-Yahn & Covington Funeral Chapel