IRA ELISE JARVIS

Beginning of Journey: September 26, 1912

End of Journey: January 12, 2023

In remembrance of a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend, whose passing will be deeply felt by all who knew her.

The life of Ira Elise Jarvis was a remarkable journey that began September 26, 1912, in Bridgetown, Barbados and drew to a close January 12, 2023, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Ira was the only child of Anna Matilda Jarvis and George Fitz-Herbert Amory. At the age of nine, with ten dollars in her pocket, she was put on a ship and sent, alone, to live with her aunt in New York. There she acquired the skills to become a legal secretary, a career that lasted more than sixty years.

In New York Ira married, and gave birth to her first child, Oliver. Later, she followed her husband to post WWII Germany, where he was stationed, and where her second son, Herb, was born. After she and her husband separated Ira returned to New York, and it was there that her daughter Sandra was born.

Ira touched the lives of many, and she will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. "Mom", as she was affectionately called by everyone, was always willing to assist others during difficult times. She helped many people start their lives in a new country by helping them navigate complicated American immigration laws. She loved nature and the outdoors, and nothing gave her greater pleasure than the company of birds and butterflies that visited her as she puttered around her garden. She loved her family, and enjoyed the company of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family.

One hundred ten years; Ira's life was truly a life well lived.

Special thanks to Dr. Amy Schmidt MD, who took such good care of Mom, Dr. Jeffrey P. Johnson, neurosurgeon, who gave Mom the chance to go on for another 25+ years, Dr. David Sotelo who ensured her feet were in the best shape, and Mr. Robert Sloan, Attorney-at-Law, PC, who gave her guidance to ensure her wishes were met. All are dear friends who played important roles in Mom's life.

Ira is preceded in death by:

Parents: Anna Matilda Jarvis and George Fitz-Herbert Amory

Siblings: Adelle, Beryl, Cameron "Sonny", Harold "Harry" Goodridge.

She is succeeded by:

Children: Oliver Hall and wife Louvonia, Herb Hall and wife Donna Peacher-Hall, Sandra Joseph

Grandchildren: Charlotte Joseph, Sean Joseph and wife Vanessa Chacon Joseph, Stephan White and Denise Ward

Great-grandchildren: Derek Washington Joseph, Taylor McGrath, Sevastian Martin,  Jasmine, Mya, Carmela-Rose Joseph, Dmitri Stewart-Grandberg, Christopher Smith, Sophie Smith.

Niece: Leandra Greenidge and children Leena and Ria Greenidge

Nephew: Cleo Goodridge and wife Jackie Howell-Goodridge.

Details for a celebration of Ira's life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please donate in Mom's honor to:

St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital

By phone:

(800) 822-6344 Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 9:00pm CT.

By mail:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

(Please make checks payable to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital)

or donate to:

St. Joseph's Indian School

220 N Main St

Chamberlain, South Dakota 57325

or donate to a charity of your choice.