She was born the second daughter of Thomas and Dell McKinlay (nee West) in Oshawa, Ontario. She grew up in Kemble, reading every word she could find, and playing with her sister and dear cousins. At seventeen, she began teaching at her first post, in a one room schoolhouse at Brinkmans Corners. In 1952, she married her beloved Ivan, and they set off together to teach in Beeton, ON before eventually moving to Chatsworth and then onto Owen Sound.
The longtime keeper of the McKinlay family tree, she was thrilled with her own branches. She loved bringing her children, Cynthia Hill, Sharon Boyd, Pamela Hill, and Andrea O’Donoughue, all of Owen Sound, and Richard (Luanne) Hill of Winnipeg together, and making sure her grandchildren loved having cousins as much as she did.
Beloved Grandma and Nanny O’Hill to Andrew (Agata) Boyd, Heather (Jonathan) Brnjas, Esther (Andrei) Hillonov, Caleb (Laura) Hill, Micah (Laura) Hill, Adam (Christopher) Fernandez-Criado, Liam, Erin, Dylan, and Rohan O’Donoughue and their father Seann. Her great grandchildren, James, Grace, Isaac, Elijah, Simon, Isla, Bo, Robbie, Juliet, and Danny brought delight to her heart. Sister in law, Betty Hill (Don – predeceased), remains a treasured friend. Her many nieces and nephews were very important to her.
Predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband, Ivan Hill, dear sister Wanda Eble (Ken), son in law Don Boyd, grandson Rohan O’Donoughue, and many cherished siblings in law.
A long-time member of South End Fellowship Baptist Church in Owen Sound, she volunteered, gave and received care within that community. She loved her flower garden, and birds, and photos of those she cherished, as well as family history, memorizing poetry, and always, always reading.
The family offers heartfelt thanks to the staff at Lee Manor for their excellent loving care.
Visitation will be held at Brian E. Wood Funeral Home, 250 14th St. W., Owen Sound, 519-376-7492, on May 22, 2026 from 6 – 8 p.m. A funeral service to celebrate Iris’s life will be held at the South End Fellowship Baptist Church, 400 – 2nd Avenue South East, Owen Sound on May 23, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Visitation at the church one hour prior to service. Spring internment in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Georgian Bluffs.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to New Life Camp, Hope and Healing International or the Ethnos are appreciated. Online condolences can be sent to Iris’s family by visiting her memorial at www.woodfuneralhome.ca
