Lovingly Remembering Ian K Morton
The first time I saw Ian was August 3, 1993 when I was moving into an apartment building he lived at in Lendrum (Edmonton). Yep, he was a gorgeous man!
My dad looked up at him (he was on his balcony) and said "keep your eyes off my daughter!"
On the 6th, Ian introduced himself to me and insisted we have rib-eye-steak that he would do up on his bbq. I accepted.
One thing led to another, and along came Ryan the following September. The following April 15, 1995, we got married.
He lovingly raised Sara as his own daughter as she faced abandonment from her biological father after I divorced him for domestic violence.
Ian was born in Calgary Alberta on July 20, 1967.
He was born 3 months pre-mature at 2 lbs, 2 oz. Shortly after birth, he lost half his weight.
Doctors kept him in an incubator and administered medication to his little fragile body for 2 months.
Then after many medical struggles, was sent home—not expecting to live much longer.
Ian beat the odds and shocked doctors as his quality of life improved drastically after being discharged from hospital.
Ian had a zest for life. He loved the outdoors, loved his friends, loved his family and his job.
Ian was considered a "Man of Steel".
Ian's longest job was at Wilkinson Steel & Metals—where he worked for 30 full years before it was bought out by Samuel & Son.
Although we were a motley crew, our family had a spirit of 'togetherness' that kept us going strong!
In 2014, Ian & I decided to cut ties with Alberta, and go on to British Columbia to help with his mother as Roy was long passed, and she was aging, and her health was failing. (Roy & Sharon Morton)
Our kids were grown and had kids of their own and didn't need us. In addition to that, Ian's future was secure, so we were able to move freely and securely.
The family often visited us in the Okanagan — and made it a part of our Summer Vacation.
Ryan ended up having a son, Alex, who bears the Morton name.
Although Papa loved & favored Brody, Alex held a special place in his heart.
Ian was fascinated by the Classic Car Shows which we took in often.
He thought this classic Bronco was boss —which led me to ask him if I could have the Ford Bronco Sport.
He said yes—but never lived long enough for me to take him for a ride in mine. 
Ian was always up for a good game and ready to "teach someone a lesson" about challenging him to a game of ...well anything!
Whether it was pool, darts or monopoly, he never lost a game!
One time I challenged him to a game of Battleship; each and every one of our ships were in the identical spot — I am not even close to joking on this one! There is a picture, but sorry, it is not available for this Eulogy.
Ian loved Chevy trucks and was thankful the day I wrote a cheque and he got to drive this baby off the lot in Penticton!
Ian loved intimidating people—especially when they were wrong about something. This was a quality I most admired about him—as Ian was a Man of Integrity!
I had a childhood filled with abuse and my first marriage wasn't any better. I found comfort and strength in Ian, and was drawn to him as a result of the compassion he offered.
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Eyes Wide Shut!
Ian hated the fact that I lived as though people were out to "get me".
Coming from long-term abusive relationships, I was able to see the person's motive for wanting to get close to me.
When I spotted that their intentions were harmful, I naturally took caution and separated myself from them.
I could always count on Ian to listen to me when expressing matters of my heart. He was open to me!
One of the most encouraging things Ian ever said to me was, "you are so powerful, and you don't see it!
I now see what he was trying to convey...
Ian loved kayaking...he actually wanted a motor boat, but I made him settle for this 😂😂
Ian was so much more than what he acknowledged within himself. He would point to his neck, then down and say I get paid from the neck down; I don't get paid to think...
Ian was a deep thinker and when we had "dealings" he taught me about going 'full circle' and leaving 'no loopholes'.
Ian was intellectually and emotional intelligent—and kept himself in check at all times. He had composure!
He taught me many things I never learned anywhere else.
Ian was my best teacher.
Ian was a dog lover. Ian strongly opposed those who were cruel to animals — sighting it's wrong to harm an animal who couldn't fight back!
Little did I know he starting having issues with a skin condition.
I started having anxiety attacks until they intensified into down-right terror attacks.
My concern level for his well-being—as well as mine, increased from there (I didn't know what was happening).
After Ian left for work, I would cry for hours —knowing I was losing him, but I didn't know what I was losing him to!?
This continued until May 20, 2023, when I finally got him into the Penticton General Hospital —where he was diagnosed with terminal cancer; there wasn't a part of his body that wasn't affected by it.
On May 27 at 11:53 am, Ian breathed his final breath, with me, his wife, Maria A Morton, holding him tightly.
As I was holding him tightly, I felt his spirit say to mine, "Let go of me, I have to go now" (he was long past consciousness).
It was 11:50 am Saturday May 27.
Ian took one breath at 11:51; I went into shock.
At 11:52, Ian took another breath; I shuttered!
At 11:53, Ian took his final breath, and I heard a 'pop' sound, as his spirit departed.
I cried and held him tight for the next few minutes.
Then trembling, I went out to alert hospice staff that Ian passed away.
Looking back, I now wonder if the time I felt as though I was losing him — until the time he departed — he was drawing on my strength (energy) to keep alive, as he failed to seek medical attention.
I believe so.
Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
All I know is that we were not joined by a piece of paper, but joined at the heart (soul) of who we were—together.
As his health was failing, mine was too, although there was no medical proof of it...
Love is not a 4 letter word. Love is not a feeling. Love is a fight—a fight For one another.
We never fought against each other, we fought FOR each other.
When two people fight against each other, it's because they are driven by selfish motives.
Ian and I were not motivated by selfishness, but driven to see the best result in whatever situation we faced.
Ian left me with his best, but it doesn't remove the fact that there is a devastating hole in my heart, because he is no longer by my side.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
May 19, 2023, I tried to stop Ian from going to work; he bunted me out of his way, then hobbled to his truck from the intense pain he was in.
He stopped, turned toward me and said, "Everything's going to be alright".
Eight days later, he was gone.
May his legacy of steel (power), and integrity live on!
— Lovingly Remembering Ian K Morton July 20, 1967 — May 27, 2023 —
When I first met Ian, it was August 1993. We started seeing each other in September. We lived in the same apartment complex over by Lendrum. He walked into my apartment and caught me singing this song. Embarrassed, I never listened to it again until now as I've been listening to a specific Christmas Special put on by Michael W. Smith. Now I seem to be singing it all the time. I lost Ian to cancer when he was 55 3 years ago. Not only am I approaching Christmas, I am also turning 55 in a couple of days.
I met Ian when I was going through a divorce after fleeing a domestic violent situation. In addition to that, Ian coached me through a tough time as I suffered difficulty with my birth family - who made things worse.
Ian fought for me like no one else on earth eve could.
I didn't only lose by best friend, I lost my rock & pillar.
However, listening to this, I realize, I didn't lose a thing because he is still alive - just not here.
It's hard to let you go, in the Fathers Hands we know, but a lifetime is not too long to live as friends!
I heard him whisper to me at 3 am this morning. He said "move forward".
At 3 pm today, I came across an old post about moving forward. It spoke because I need to appreciate what is here today as much as I appreciated what I had with him.
That joy I had with him then, is now my strength today.
I write this with tears because it still hurts that he's gone & how he died; but the lovely truth is love never dies it remains for in my 🩷🙏✝️
https://youtu.be/wdPE0vqh9RQ?si=ZJ0LtZBTgEhHi_j8
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