Iris T. McGahan

All who knew Iris McGahan, would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was a woman of faith who lived to serve others in ways both great and small. Iris was deeply devoted to her family, and she cherished her roles as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Although she saw so many of the most beautiful places that the world has to offer, what made these experiences so extraordinary was sharing them with the ones she loved. Life will never be the same without Iris here, but she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts. Life during the 1930s was anything but easy as the crash of the stock market in October of 1929 sent our nation spiraling down into the depths of the Great Depression. As 1930 dawned, things were looking bleak, and conditions only continued to worsen as jobs became harder and harder to come by. Despite the trials around them, Elmer and Nellie (Hetrick) Fritz were able to shift their focus to an exciting time in their lives as they announced the birth of the baby girl they named Iris T. on August 12, 1930, in Newberry, Michigan. The youngest of seven to be raised in McMillan, just outside of Newberry, she was joined in her family by her siblings, David, Roby, Lillian, Kathryn, Lena, and Dale. Iris' father worked for the county while her mother had more than enough to keep her busy at home. She attended local schools, and it has been said that she walked uphill both ways to school, although no one could ever confirm that part of her story! Iris went on to graduate from Newberry High School in 1949. She was known by her classmates as that girl with the A's. New and exciting changes were in store for Iris when she met the young man of her dreams. His name was Edwin McGahan, and they met at a dance they were both attending and were introduced because he was the brother of Iris' best friend. Edwin had just gotten out of the service, and sparks flew right from the start. It didn't take the couple long to fall deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together Iris and Edwin were married on June 18, 1949. Edwin and Iris moved to Fulton in a couple years later. Together they welcomed four children including Dennis, Keith, Kathy, and Darlene into their hearts and home. Iris loved being a wife and mother and took great joy in caring for her family. As someone who was hardworking, independent, and even a bit strong-willed, Iris also worked outside of the home in addition to caring for her home and family. She worked as the director of food service at Vicksburg Community Schools for 23 years. This was a great fit for Iris as she was very fiscally responsible. The family was once told that it was the only school in its time to have a food service operating in the positive. Iris was an amazing cook in her own right. Among the family favorites were her pot roasts on Sunday. Throughout her journey Iris knew what it meant to truly live, and she loved so many things. She was an avid traveler as she went all over including to Africa, Germany, Brazil, Jamaica, Hawaii, and throughout the continental United States. Iris loved nature, and she took advantage of being outside whenever she could. One of her favorite things to do was to go out for walks as she has even been called a walk-a-holic. If Iris was ever stuck waiting for someone, she would always just say it was fine and would go out for a walk until the other person was ready. Iris had a very strong faith, and this was something that she passed on to her kids as well. When they were young, Iris made sure that her children were in church every Sunday. They also learned to play the piano. Iris was active in Fulton United Church of Christ, now Fulton Christian for years, and more recently she was an active member of Vicksburg United Methodist Church. Her favorite Bible passage was Psalms 103: 1-22, and she loved hymnal music. Also within her community, Iris worked with the elections in Vicksburg. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Iris T. McGahan was a blessing to all who were near. She was kind and generous with heart that was as big as they come. Iris loved being a mother and grandmother, but there was nothing that made her more proud than becoming a great-grandmother later in life. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed. Iris Tacie McGahan, of Vicksburg passed away on Friday, September 28, 2018 at the age of 88. She is survived by her four children: Dennis (Sandy Robinson) McGahan, of Vicksburg; Keith (Jacki) McGahan, of Richland; Kathy (Gary) Bragg, of Three Rivers; and Darlene (Duane VanderPloeg) Wiborn, of Martin; nine grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. Iris was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin; daughter-in-law, Christine McGahan and one grandson, Michael Edwin McGahan; and six siblings. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2 - 4 p.m. at the McCowen & Secord Life Story Family Funeral Homes, Rupert-Durham Chapel, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg (269-649-1697). A funeral service will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church. Please visit Iris' webpage at www.mccowensecord.com where you can sign, the guestbook, and share a memory. Those who wish may make contributions to Great Lakes Caring Hospice.