Iris Fribrock Ewing passed away at the age of 91 on April 8, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 11, 1925 in Seattle, Washington to Eric Fribrock and Emma Nelson Fribrock and was raised in the Magnolia neighborhood with her dear brother, Joe. Iris graduated from Queen Anne High School and the University of Washington. Iris had an ideal childhood and especially loved summers at Snug Harbor Packing, her father's remote salmon cannery on Cook Inlet, Alaska. She was surrounded by, and embraced, people from all walks of life. She reveled in the rugged beauty of Chisik Island and developed a deep love of nature.

Iris was gifted with a beautiful voice and musical talent. She also had the discipline and drive to establish a respected singing career. As a student she appeared in many University of Washington Opera Workshop productions and was chosen by Jan Peerce to appear with him in a Seattle concert. In 1950, Iris attended the Conservatoire Americaine at Fontainebleau, France, where she studied under famous teachers such as Germaine Martinelli and Nadia Boulanger and was the winner of the Premier Prix de Chant. She studied in Sweden with Eva Pawlo and made her European concert debut at the Konserthuset in Stockholm where critics favored her with enthusiastic reviews. In New York, Iris studied with Enrico Rosati. Throughout the 1950s Iris performed in many operatic productions and recitals on stage and radio, including three appearances with the Seattle Symphony. She was well known for her performance in the role of "Queen of the Night" in the Symphony's production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" in 1953. Under the direction of Milton Katims, she was a guest soloist on the Standard Hour and she received critical acclaim as the soprano soloist in the Seattle premier of Orff's Carmina Burana. She also had solo recitals at Carnegie Hall, New York, and the Comedie Francaise, Paris. In 1956 she won first place in the Pacific Northwest Regional Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition. As a singer, Iris was loved and respected for consummate clarity, smoothness, beauty, and poise.

Iris met Walter Ewing at a social gathering in New York. Their love and respect for each other was palpable and together they created a meaningful life around their children and broad circle of wonderful friends. Walter was a proud Scot and Iris's family was Swedish. Together they cherished their European roots and also had great fun and laughter as cultures collided in the Ewing household. The story is still told of the time Grandma Emma reminded Walter that the "Scots are just shipwrecked Norwegians!"

Walter's career as an insurance executive caused them to move several times and they made lasting friendships with neighbors, colleagues and church communities in New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Pittsburgh and New Jersey. Throughout this time Iris was very active in local and national music organizations, and was always helping to plan events and was a frequent judge at singing competitions. Iris was president of the Ladies Musical Club of Seattle during their centennial year. Iris and Walter enjoyed extensive international travel to such places as Japan, Australia, Singapore, China, and Europe.

In their retirement, Iris and Walter returned to the Pacific Northwest and built a wonderful family home on Camano Island where they enjoyed countless hours walking the beach, crabbing, gardening, entertaining friends and enjoying the experience of being grandparents. Iris loved her grandchildren dearly and was a wonderful role model to them.

In 2002, Iris moved to Emerald Heights in Redmond, WA where she enjoyed many heartfelt friendships and was engaged in many activities. Most recently she led the effort to select an extensive new artwork collection, a project that kept her busy and happily engaged with artists and fellow residents.

In 1991, Iris and Walter lost their son, Bob, to a sudden illness. The grief of this loss was something that Iris carried deep in her heart. Her children take joy in knowing that Iris, Walter, and Bob are reunited.

Iris is preceded in death by her husband Walter, her son Bob, her parents Eric and Emma, and her brother Joe. She is survived by her children Brenda Roach (Steve), Anne Cole (John), Eric Ewing (Bruce Redman), her grandchildren Kelly Roach, Amy Roach and Ellen Aebischer (Dominick), and her beloved sisters-in-law Dorothy Fribrock and Anne Carmichael, and extended family in Seattle, the UK and Sweden.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, April 17 at 2:00 PM at Emerald Heights, 10901 176th Circle NE, Redmond, WA 98052. Remembrances in honor of Iris may be made to the Ladies Musical Club of Seattle or your favorite charity.

Iris was a gracious, lovely, welcoming, spiritual, spirited, cultured, intelligent and wise woman. She was a trusted friend to many and a loving matriarch. Iris led a life well lived. In her own words she said "I loved life. Life loved me."