Beulah IRIS Beryl Czinkota (nee Adams) was born October 23, 1925 in Sioux Lookout to Myron LESLIE Adams and ETHEL May Virginia Adams (nee Cullen). She passed away November 16, 2023 at the age of 98. She enjoyed singing and entertaining. During WWII, she used to sing in the Fort Rouge Legion Dance Hall with a band to entertain the troops. She sang at many weddings and funerals over the years. Iris married Kermit (Garnet) Arnold Czinkota August 1951 and had 3 sons, Garnet (Marie), Sidney and Kenneth (Julie). She is predeceased by all her siblings.
She was Chairperson of the Senior Citizen Advisory Board for 6 years in Sioux Lookout during which time she established exercise/fitness classes for seniors, created the senior’s foot care program, and organized the purchase of a new van for the Senior’s Ride Program.
Iris served on the General Hospital Board for 12 years and as Chairperson for 4 years. During this time, she led the team to establish the physiotherapy department, created a mental Health Program, a Drug Addiction Program, obtaining services of physicians and visiting specialists, and initiated the building of the new hospital and Extended Care Facility in Sioux Lookout.
Iris was also a member of the Town Council of Sioux Lookout serving as Chairperson of Finance overseeing significant accomplishments such as construction of the Day Care Centre and of the Crisis Centre for Women. She served on the board of Directors for the Crisis Centre. She was a member of the Library Board during the move from the old library to the new library.
Iris was director of many choirs and was instrumental in the Annual Christmas Choir. She was the female lead in “Pirates of Penzance” in Winnipeg. She directed and sang lead in the operas “The Mikado” and “The Merry Widow” in Sioux Lookout. In later years she directed/produced the operetta “Trial by Jury”. She was a Sunday School teacher and Chairperson of the SLKT United Church Board for 4 terms.
Iris was Past President of the Rebekah Assembly of Ontario and past Musician of the I.A.R.A.
With her husband, Iris ran a grocery store in Sioux Lookout for 20 years. In later years she travelled. Her highlights were a tour of China and 6-month circumnavigation of South America on a supply ship and frequent trips to Disney World. Her memory was robbed by vascular dementia but she remained happy and positive. She left the world a better place judging by the number of people’s lives that she had a positive influence on.
Her family will hold a private remembrance service.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Wesway (Wesway.com) would be appreciated.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
