May 30, 1932- February 19, 2021
Surrounded by family, Iona passed away peacefully at her home in Barrie on February 19, 2021 at the age of 88. She is survived by her children Jehan, Lila (Faisal) and Tarek (Claudia). She was predeceased by her husband, Mamdouh (1993) and her parents Catherine Millar MacTavish and Colin Islay MacTavish in her birthplace of Glasgow, Scotland. Iona is sister to Julie (deceased), Marion, Jeanette (deceased) and Ruth (David).
Proud matriarch of the Ghannam family in Canada, Iona was a loving grandmother to Alya Saab (Jason), Ayman Saab (Rachael), Omar Saab, Serena Lagerquist (Josh), Colin Ghannam, Alexander Oelschlaeger and great-grandmother to Yasmeen, Sami and Nadya Leitch, Madelyn Lagerquist and Lila Saab.
Iona met Mamdouh while he was studying at the University of Glasgow. They married and started their family and life adventure in Scotland before moving to Alexandria, Egypt and ultimately settling in Canada in 1968. In addition to lovingly raising her family on 3 continents, Iona was a teacher, a patron of the arts and a strong supporter of animal welfare. A prolific reader throughout her life, Iona maintained a strong interest in global politics and international relations.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to Furry Friends animal shelter inc. (Barrie) www.furryfriendsbarrie.com, Registered charity #882610124. Arrangements entrusted to the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley St., Barrie. Online condolences and memories may be left at www.steckleygooderham.com