SARATOGA SPRINGS — Iris Olga Levine, a longtime resident of Saratoga Springs, died on Sunday, August 10 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 89.
Born on May 9, 1925, in London, England, Iris was the daughter of the late Alfred and Betty Alexander, also of London England.
At an early age, Iris sang and danced in vaudeville theatres with her sister Phyllis, and her parents in a popular and prominent troupe across the British Isles.
At the age of 14, she moved to Dublin to live with her aunt. During the war in 1941, she relocated back to London to be with her family. Her successful modeling career for the war effort was interrupted by the bombing of her home in 1944. Iris was injured and hospitalized. Just prior to that Iris had met a handsome American soldier and fell in love. Deciding to move to America, she arrived in this country to be with the love of her life. This metropolitan beauty chose to be with her farm boy, Jack Levine. As she arrived in America and stepped off the plane, this moment was captured by Life Magazine because of her stunning grace.
Iris had a beautiful marriage of 48 years to her late husband, Jack. Together they operated The Baby’s Room, a well-known baby’s store in Buffalo. She will be forever missed by all who knew and loved her.
In addition to her parents and her husband, Iris was predeceased by her sister, Phyllis Palmer.
Survivors include her son, Lawrence Levine of Saratoga; her daughter, Janis Sokol (David) of Hadley, Massachusetts; two grandchildren, Michael and Jessica; and several nieces and nephews.
There will be no public calling hours and funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 13 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Burial will follow at the Ballston Village Cemetery, Ballston Spa.
The family would like to thank Dr. David Mastrianni and his entire staff and Community Hospice of Saratoga for their compassion and care. A special thanks also to Dr. Angela Condy.
Donations may be made in Iris’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road Loudonville, NY 12211 or Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
