Iris Olive BERRYMAN

1922 - 2021

Iris Olive Berryman (Purdy) passed peacefully on July 22, 2021 at age 98 at her "second home", the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice. Predeceased by her husband Allan Henry Berryman (1997), brother Donald S. Purdy (2010) and much loved son Donald (2017). Remembered fondly by niece Pat Betcher (Purdy), nephew Richard S. Purdy, niece Ruth Ann Berryman Entwistle, as well as other nieces and nephews, friends Trudy, Delorys, Dorothy, Donelle and her "pool buddies" and many colleagues and students whose lives she impacted over her long teaching career.
Born in St. Catharines in 1922, Iris moved with her family to Hamilton where she completed her teacher training and university. She taught physical education and worked as a teacher-librarian with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board for more than 40 years. She truly believed in maintaining a healthy fit lifestyle and participated in daily activities well into her 90's. Iris was the first Hamilton public board teacher to request a maternal leave of absence in 1950 when her son was born. There was no policy and no one had ever asked. She was a pioneer in the women's movement, finally being granted leave and paving the way for those after her. She returned from leave in 1953 and taught in the classroom until her retirement in the mid 80's.
Two major "rites de passage" in the 60's and 70's molded her future life choices. The first was her volunteer work in developing countries. Iris served four tours with the Canadian Teachers' Federation Project Overseas - Ghana (1971), Guyana (1972), Indonesia (1975) and the Caribbean (1977) where she was on a special photo journalism assignment to document the lives of 30 participants in six Caribbean countries through pictures and stories.
The second was that her interest in writing emerged. Iris sold her first freelance article to the Hamilton Spectator in 1967. It was the story of Hamilton teacher Minnie Graham who had walked around the world in the early 1900's. Iris' love of writing was lifelong and spurred the creation of the Hamilton Teachers' Federation "Apple for the Teacher" newspaper in 1972. A group of dedicated volunteers helped publish 5 issues a school year until it ceased publication in 2001. The award winning publication focused on and celebrated the activities in the classroom. "Apple" was written by teachers, for teachers. A favorite section was the "Applesauce" humour column, a goldmine of joy and laughter that educators needed.
Iris loved to dance. As a teenager, she danced in the "Whizz Gang Review", a group of six "Nancy Campbell" dancers that would travel around Ontario entertaining the troops during WWII. She also loved to travel. Every February Iris went to London, England to attend shows and theatre and explore the city one section per year. When Iris was 90 years old niece Pat joined her on one of those trips and was amazed at Iris' knowledge of all the London bus routes and her Tube navigation skills.
Her greatest pleasures was her trips to and love of Africa. She never stayed at tourist places but navigated into places and met people who in her mind were the 'real Africa'. Nephew Richard's painting of the "African Woman" was a treasured memory for her.
Iris also loved her brother Donald. He was the main caregiver of their family as Pearl, their mother, was alone raising them. Iris named her son after Donald S. Purdy. They shared a similar 'Purdy' resiliency and often bizarre sense of humour. Iris took after her brother and spent her life maintaining a fitness routine. Swimming was her favourite.
Iris was very accepting of other people and their quirks and quarks. Perhaps being quirky herself, she understood them. Iris was thrifty, a pot of coffee could last her a week. She was a early champion for recycling - reusing every piece of paper, leftovers were never wasted, and the thrift stores were her favorite stores for clothes and household items. She supported numerous local charities and causes that were close to her heart.
Iris did not seek out recognition and humbly accepted numerous accolades over the years for her service to the community including: Government of Canada Celebration 88 Certificate of Merit; Hamiton WTA Diamond Jubilee Award 'One Step Beyond' (1980); OPSTF Newsletter Editors Award (1981); CEPA 'Bright Idea Award' (1982); Induction into McMaster Alumni Gallery (1984); Hamilton's Woman of the Year in Communications nominee (1985); OTF Certificate 'In Recognition of Outstanding Service to the Teachers of Ontario (2002); RTO Certificate of Merit (2002); Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002).
Iris' husband Allan served in WWII. Her almost two acre property on Stone Church Rd E was purchased by her husband through the Veteran's Land Act in 1955. She did not want her property to go to developers and her "Millenium" project was to donate almost an acre to a charitable cause. In 2005 she connected with the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice as they were looking to build a residential hospice in Hamilton. The dream for both parties was realized with the completion and opening of the hospice in 2007. Now, her home and remaining property will be used to further the mission of the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice.
Sincere thanks to the staff at the Wellington Retirement Home for their excellent care of Iris, and to Marta and Joanne from the LHIN for their support. Coming full circle, Iris spent her final days with the compassionate caregivers and staff at the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice. Private arrangements have been made as she wished. Her memory may be honoured by making a donation to the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice.