JEAN BERYL MATHESON

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JEAN BERYL MATHESON After a long and fulfilling life Jean died peacefully at Golden West Centennial Lodge, Winnipeg, on July 20, 2002. Jean was born in Stonewall, MB on January 20, 1913, to Lila and Alexander Samuel Matheson, second child in a family of six. Predeceased by her parents; two brothers, Alex and Ross; a sister Ruth; brother-in-law Ken Sisson; and sister-in-law Mildred Matheson. She leaves two sisters, Helen Sisson and Mona Rutherford (Bob), both of Winnipeg, along with many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and cousins, all of whom will remember Jean with fondness and love. She completed her elementary grades at Tecumseh rural school, graduated from Stonewall High School, following which she attended Normal School in Winnipeg, thus realizing her wish to be a teacher. Her first teaching position was at Highland Glen, followed by positions in Argyle and Stonewall elementary schools. In the midst of wartime activity Jean felt the call to patriotic duty and in 1942 she enlisted in the RCAF (WD) serving until 1946. Following the war she enrolled in and graduated from the Faculty of Home Economics at the University of Manitoba. Jean then chose to continue her education with further studies at the University of British Columbia, receiving her Bachelor of Social Work degree in 1950. Returning to Winnipeg, she accepted a position with the Family Bureau as a social worker which she held until her retirement in 1978. Throughout her life Jean enjoyed various activities and hobbies. Her skill with a camera has provided family and friends with scenes and glimpses of people and events that were important to her. Her passion for flowers and gardening provided her with many enjoyable hours while red ribbons awarded in horticultural competitions were evidence of her skill. Whether on her own or with family or friends, Jeans travels took her from coast to coast in Canada, to the United States, the British Isles, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Europe and the Caribbean. In addition, she took time to enjoy painting, golf, curling and cross-country skiing. Throughout her life Jean was a faithful and active member of the United Church - Grassmere United in her early years and when Winnipeg became her home, a member of Fort Garry United where she served as an elder and member of the choir. Get-togethers meant a lot to Jean - any reason or no reason was always a good reason to gather. It was not uncommon to have a Sunday afternoon phone call telling us all there was a family get-together at Assiniboine Park that day. The onset of dementia, hospitalization with a broken hip, and subsequently taking up permanent residence at Golden West, meant her gathering of the clan ended, but our memories of her love of family remain strong. When Jean was no longer able to stay in her home on Somerville, among her keepsakes was found the following verse in her handwriting: Oh, its good to be out on the sea of life Embarked one knows not whither or why, On the deck of the good ship Fortune Under a free blue sky. Our cargo is health, contentment and good cheer, No thought of the storms of yesterday For the gales of tomorrow, no fear. Sharing many a merry yarn With a laughing fellow rover, And a haven of peace to steer for When the long, long trip is over. And so, with happy memories and thanksgiving we call family and friends together for a celebration of Jeans life at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 25 in Fort Garry United Church, 800 Point Rd. Interment will take place in Grassmere Church Cemetery, Stonewall at 11:00 a.m. prior to the service of celebration. We welcome anyone who wishes to join with us at this time. We wish to express our thanks to the staff of Golden West Centennial Lodge, you were always patient, considerate and thoughtful and we feel that Jean could have had no better home in her last years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada through Fort Garry United Church, 800 Point Rd., Winnipeg, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, or a charity of your choice. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 24, 2002