MAUDIE MAE MATTHEWS

A memorial service for the late Maudie Mae Matthews (Gunn), 97, Denver, Guysborough County, was held August 10 in Kirk Memorial United Church, with Reverend Derek Elsworth officiating. Burial was in Pine Tree Cemetery.

Mrs. Matthews died July 23, 2019, in St Martha’s Hospital, Antigonish.

Born December 26, 1921, in Whorland, Wyoming, she was a daughter of the late Harry Arthur and Maude May (Espey) Gunn. As a young child, she and her family moved from California to her grandfather’s family home in Denver, Nova Scotia. At 21, she joined the RCAF and served during the Second World War from 1942-1945. In November 1945, she married LAC Donald John (Jack) Matthews. Together they raised three children moving back and forth between seven provinces and one territory until her husband retired from the RCAF in Grand Centre, Alberta. There she started a ceramic business, successfully selling her art at craft fairs. At 70, after the passing of her husband, she moved home to Denver, purchased the family homestead and supervised the building of her new home.  She was an active and energetic woman who curled, bowled, gardened, sewed, crafted, played bridge, crib, 45s and, at 96, received recognition as the oldest participant of Guysborough Co. Older Adult Games. She was a collector of stamps, coins, plates, spoons, and old family photos. She journaled, wrote poems and speeches. She was her family’s historian, with an excellent memory for events and dates. She enjoyed her diaries, crosswords and telling stories of the “olden days”. She was an active volunteer in her church and community. She was a Brownie leader and Girl Guide Commissionaire and a member of the Sherbrooke Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, Kirk Memorial United Church and UCW, East River St. Mary’s Fire Department Auxiliary, Gunn Clan of Nova Scotia, Women’s Institute of Nova Scotia and a founding member of Greenfield Seniors Club. As a veteran, she annually delivered a strong message on the merits of being kind and a good citizen to the students of St. Mary’s Education Centre/Academy during their Remembrance Day assembly. She received Volunteer Recognitions from Women’s Institute Branch of Newton-Denver; Provincial Volunteer Week (1996 & 2000) and, at the age of 89, Volunteer of the Year (2011). She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

 She is survived by three children, Donald (Sharon) Matthews, North Sydney; Cheryll (Desmond Price) Matthews, North Vancouver; Glen Matthews, Denver; five grandchildren, Jesse and Sam Price, North Vancouver; Lisa (Shane) Tobin, Sydney Mines; Georgie Matthews, North Sydney; Michael (Melanie) Matthews, St. Margaret’s Bay; four great-grandchildren, Harley and Cruz, Sydney Mines; Jaslyn and Abbie, North Sydney; nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband, Jack Matthews; two sisters, Margaret Schrader, Mary Maitland; four brothers, Harvey, Bill, Espey, Harry; companion, Raymond Smith.

Memorial donations may be made to Kirk Memorial United Church, Pine Tree Cemetery Fund or a charity of choice.

Online condolences:  www.angusfuneralhomes.com