Iris Porter – A Sweet Adeline Centenarian
Iris (Inward) Porter was born in Richmond, England on September 19, 1920. By the time the women of Chinook Winds Show Chorus welcomed her in 1971, she had already lived a full life.
Growing up between Wars was relatively stable. Following school, she entered the work force as an office clerk, but the call of adventure and duty touched her heart and, in 1941, she enlisted in His Majesty’s service as a WAAF.
Initially she continued on in the role she had been schooled and kept the pay ledgers for the WAAFs whose role was to pack parachutes and act as flight mechanics.
She was happy to be helping the war effort but longed for adventure. Her chance came in 1944 when she volunteered for overseas duty and found herself in Egypt, ensuring all the RAF personnel in the Middle East received their pay without miscalculation.
For two years she lived in a tent and wore the standard cotton khaki uniform. She made friends with her co-workers, who were locals, and declared them absolutely charming and dedicated short hand typists. As in the challenging times we are experiencing in 2020, they also were in it together and there was a mutual respect from all who worked there.
IN 1945 her perspective changed again with the declaration of Victory in Europe. Being an adaptable sort she volunteered for a new program called The Recovery of Allied Prisoners of War and Internees. For Iris, a young girl of 25, one can only imagine what that experience must have been like. Being a witness to those who had suffered can’t be adequately described. Nothing in her life had prepared her for this. What a burden to take on and a gift of insight to gain. War was over but it took her another year to get back to England.
Between 1946 and 1948 Iris met her husband to be, married, immigrated to Calgary, Canada, and started her family. She also fell in love with Sears (and shoes), and once her 4 children were a tiny bit independent Iris began her love affair with retail.
In 1971 Iris discovered Sweet Adelines. She immediately carved out her niche in Chinook Winds Chorus as the sweetest Adeline ever. She greeted every person with a smile and always remembered everyone’s name. We soon discovered that she also enjoyed writing poems, and for the next 30-ish years were regaled with descriptive missives about all things Chorus, entertained by her flair for drama in entertaining vignettes, and encouraged by her versified assessments of our learning experiences.
Her love of retail led to her discovery of the most magnificent GOLD lame knee high boots, which she wore on as many occasions as she was permitted. She also harbored an unparalleled adoration of outlandish wigs!
Iris loved performing and she stepped up at every opportunity. The sparkle in her eye, the little wave of her hand, and the question “Could I please have a moment” always let us know that we were about to be entertained. We were never disappointed.
Iris drew from her early training in record keeping to become the central information conduit for the chorus. She quickly established a group of call girls……….to inform us of disruptions in rehearsal dates or times, blanket shout outs for assistance, or last minute instructions for Costume Chair or Director. (… what were you thinking?) This, of course was pre-email or text.
In Iris’ last show with the Chorus, her role as the clerk at the Wheel ‘Em Inn was designed to accommodate a broken arm (or was it a leg, no never!). Iris retired from the stage in 2004. For the last 16 years she has been happily writing poetry, living quietly and healthily in her home in Calgary, and keeping watch from a distance, on our Sweet Adeline Antics.
In September 2020, Iris attained the amazing age of 100 years and her Sweet Adeline friends were thrilled to be a part of her Birthday Celebration. The socially distanced drive by ‘wave parade’ (honking would have brought too much attention), remembrances of our times with her in Chorus, and a little careful visiting (but no singing!) brought us all unimaginable happiness as we honored this woman who had brought unlimited Joy to so many throughout her life.
Congratulations Iris and may you continue to celebrate a happy, healthy and harmonious life!
Susan McLean (assisted by the interviewing skills of Elinor Florence)