Obituary of Iris Page

Iris Page passed away peacefully in her 94th year at the York Care Centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on September 7^th, 2025. Born in Tyrconnell, Ontario, she was the daughter of the late Morley and Grace (Hoskin) Page.

Iris is survived by her children, David Coon (Janice Harvey), Bill Coon (Jill Townsend), and Michelle Coon, grandchildren, Caroline and Laura Coon, Nicole Anderson and Katrina Sylvain, and great-grandchildren, Laiken, Liam, and Gavin.  In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by brother, Bill Page, and grandson, Russell Harvey Coon.

She grew up on her family’s farm in Tyrconnell, Ontario, surrounded by music and hard work. She passed on her love of music and strong work ethic to her children, ensuring they knew from whence they came.  Family meant everything to her. 

Iris loved to play the piano and sing. During the summer breaks from studying to be a nurse at the University of Western Ontario, she played the organ in her church, and accompanied her father on the piano when he would sing at community events.

As a public health nurse, she worked in the field of sexual health in Toronto and the Vancouver area and established one of Canada’s earliest HIV/AIDS outreach programs in North York. While raising her family in Montreal, she pursued her passion for working with youth as the assistant librarian at the local high school.  

Iris had a strong, resilient spirit, and knew how to stand up for herself. Her determination and grit carried her through turbulent times, while her zest for life, dry sense of humour, compassion, and independent nature were appreciated by all who knew her.

Iris travelled widely following her retirement, and when at home, she volunteered for the CNIB in Toronto and Fredericton. 

Many thanks to the entire Tower 3 staff at the York Care Centre for their compassionate care and the respect they showed Iris everyday.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Wilmot United Church in Fredericton on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 11:00 am. This service will be livestreamed from Wilmot United Church's youtube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@WilmotUnitedChurch/streams. The interment ceremony will take place on October 11, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the Tyrconnell Cemetery, Wallacetown, Ontario, followed by a reception at the Backus-Page House, 29429 Lakeview Line.

Donations in Iris’ memory may be made to the Tyrconnell Heritage Society, CNIB or the charity of your choice.