JANET MATTHEWS (CAMERON)

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JANET MATTHEWS (nee CAMERON) December 6, 1929 - April 1, 2008 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Janet Airdrie Jocelyn Matthews (nee Cameron) - our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and Friend. Janet leaves to mourn her passing - daughter Valerie and son-in-law Ron Lemieux and their children Christa, Desiree, Guy and grandson-in-law Kevin; son Cam and his children Michael and Justin; and son Cliff and his children Megan and Jocelyn. They will cherish memories of her gentle spirit, positive attitude and determination to live life to the fullest regardless of the obstacles put in her path. Janet was the daughter of Professor A.T. Cameron (first head of the biochemistry department at the Manitoba Medical College) and Airdrie E. Bell (a longtime reference librarian at the Medical library). Her maternal grandfather was C.N. Bell, the first secretary of the Winnipeg Board of Trade. She had one brother, Professor Alastair Cameron, a well known astrophysicist at Harvard University, who predeceased her in 2005. She spent her early years in Winnipeg, moving to Dauphin in 1952 following her marriage to Cliff Matthews, who established a law practice there. She nursed at the Dauphin General Hospital for many years and was active in the Dauphin local of the then Manitoba Organization of Nurses Association (MONA). She started nursing at the Municipal Hospitals in 1973 and was Assistant Head Nurse on the polio ward when in 1978 she suffered a major stroke at the age of 48. Through sheer determination and grit she overcame the debilitating effects of her stroke, moving to Lorette to live with her daughter and son-in-law in 1980. She lived with their family for 25 years before moving to Golden Links Lodge in 2005. Throughout her life she had a deep faith in God and actively participated in church activities. She loved visiting with family and friends, often traveling from one end of the country to the other to see them, residual paralysis and a wheelchair notwithstanding. She especially loved attending her nurses' reunions and was a proud graduate of the General Hospital's Class of 52. In May 2007 she attended the 55th anniversary of her graduating class. She appreciated that her classmates continued to include her in their activities even after her stroke. She loved a good laugh, took her camera everywhere, read extensively, loved watching movies and playing cards and board games. She was a lifelong member of the CCF and the NDP and continued to be interested in politics and social justice issues throughout her life. Above all else, she loved spending time with her grandchildren, listening to them and their friends, and watching them grow to young adulthood. Her family was her pride and joy. She was an unbelievable role model, showing courage in the face of adversity. She taught everyone that the small things in life are the most worthwhile. She will always be remembered and her indominable spirit will live forever. The family would like to thank the homecare staff in the Eastman region who enabled Janet to live with her family in their home for so many years. They would also like to thank the staff at Golden Links Lodge for their care and support of Janet during these last few difficult years, as well as the drivers at Wheelchair Services of Manitoba who enabled her to continue visiting with her family and participating in family events. A celebration of Janet's life will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. at Prairie Grove Fellowship Church on Station Road in Lorette, Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that anyone wishing to do so, make a donation in Janet's memory to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation or Golden Links Lodge. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery 1 Green Acres Lane, (204) 222-3241 Life stories may be shared with friends and family across the globe at www.mem.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 03, 2008