Obituary of Iona (Griffin) Staples
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Iona Staples announces her peaceful passing at home in Doylestown, PA on April 2, 2020, at the age of 83. Iona was born in Saint John, New Brunswick on September 21, 1936, and immigrated to the USA in 1970. Iona was a loving, caring and doting wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and will be deeply missed by her beloved husband of 62 years, Bob Staples; son: David (Deborah) Staples of Downingtown, PA; daughter: Laurie (Dr. Joseph) Ritchie of St. Louis MO; grandsons: Eric Ritchie and Zachary Staples; granddaughter: Jessica Ritchie; several relatives, and many longtime friends. She was predeceased by her father and mother, Thomas and Gladys (Johnston) Griffin in Saint John NB and her brother Lawrence (Ruth) Griffin of Sydney NS. Iona was very close to her father, whom she lost to a drowning accident when she was only 11 years old.
Emerging from a humble childhood, Iona was very intelligent and well liked by everyone who met her. She graduated in the top of her class of Registered Nurses from the Saint John General Hospital School of Nursing in 1957, and was employed as a surgical nurse in several hospitals while living in Saint John, Fredericton, Montreal, and Cleveland, OH. She also worked in Family Planning in Mentor, OH, and as an Emergency Room volunteer at the Doylestown Hospital.
Iona was also an accomplished seamstress, creating a custom made exquisite wedding dress for her daughter and christening gown for her granddaughter, in addition to many clothes, bedding and draperies for family and friends. Iona also taught sewing at an upscale fabric store in Worthington, OH. In her youth, Iona was very involved in the Rainbow Girls, Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT) and YWCA High Y Club. She was also in the Mixed Choir while in high school. She was known for her famous bows, centerpieces, oatmeal muffins, and beaded bracelets given in many heartfelt gifts to her friends, doctors and working associates.
As an adult, Iona was very active with her husband in sailing (they were members of the Grand River Yacht Club), curling (club champion skip at the Dorval Curling Club, as well as the Euclid Curling Club), mixed Worthington Community Choir, Bridge Clubs, and the Pinegate Swim Club. She also enjoyed singing in the church choir, playing golf, and participating in water aerobics and other fitness center activities. She was an excellent cook and loved playing mind challenging games – Sudoku, bridge, scrabble and others. Iona was very thoughtful of others and always maintained close contact both with family and lifelong friends. With her cheerful personality and good humor, Iona will be dearly missed by all who had the great fortune to have her in their lives.
Iona has asked to be cremated and her ashes, together with those of her dear husband, to be scattered in the Belleisle Bay of New Brunswick, where she had many fond memories of sailing during her lifetime. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Sjogrens Syndrome Foundation in Philadelphia PA.
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