A FORMER Frodsham teacher has died in Canada at the age of 92 – some two years after her husband who had also been a teacher in Frodsham.
Lilyan Ira Arthurson was a high school teacher in Frodsham where, after being widowed she met her second husband, Doug Arthurson, who was a teacher at the Manor School.
They emigrated to Canada in 1975 where they both resumed their teaching careers.
Graham Stokes, Ira’s son by her first marriage said: “Wife, mother and matriarch to her extended family over the years, Ira flourished through family ties and the love they provided her. She was recently undergoing treatment at Nanaimo Hospital, Vancouver Island, after a fall, when she left us unexpectedly but peacefully at the age of 92.”
Ira was born in Widnes in December 1927. She married her first love, Ron Stokes, in 1949 and they had two children, Graham and Helen. After they reached school age she qualified as a teacher and taught as a high school teacher in Frodsham.
The family moved to Kingsley but Ron died of cancer in 1965 leaving Ira to soldier on as a single parent but still managing to continue her teaching career.
She married Doug Arthurson in 1970 and five years later the family emigrated to Canada to join Ira’s brother, also named Douglas, and his family in Kelowna, BC.
Ira and Doug travelled extensively before and after retirement. Ira enjoyed painting, reading, visiting friends and family.
After her husband died, aged 90, in 2018, Ira moved into Kiwanis Village, Nanaimo, where she was able to maintain a degree of independence and take part in the seniors’ community.
Ira was cremated in Nanaimo and the family hope to arrange a memorial service in late August at St Michael’s Church, Kelowna.
I was a pupil of Doug Arthurson at the Manor School up to year 4 in 1969. I would like to add my appreciation to those who were also taught by this great teacher. I’m sure he inspired many of his students, as he made learning such a pleasure and stress-free.