Florence Matthews

It is with bitter sweet sadness that we, the sons and daughters of Florence Matthews announce her passing on Friday, June 6th, 2025. Amidst our sorrow, we also rejoice as she embarked on her final trip, to her eternal home.

Florence Madelaine Matthews (nee Willson) was born on March 19, 1921 in the midst of a three-day storm, in the family's old three-room house, north of Landis, SK. Hospitals were over 40 miles away, a doctor 4 miles away, but unattainable in the wake of the storm. So, a neighbor lady who hired out as a mid-wife was put into service.

She is survived by her daughters Noreen (Randy Kershaw) and Marilyn (Craig Peterson), and sons John, Neil (Lynn) and Warren (Lorri). As well 7 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Florence was predeceased by her parents Edward and Muriel Willson, brother Gilbert, sisters Dorothy (Thurber) and Myrna (Bomersback), her husband Elwin and eldest son Dayle (Sharyn).

Life on the farm at Landis consumed her early years. It was hard but her mother's stories of life in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia fueled a wanting to visit other places, that never dimed. A train excursion to Grandma's house only lit a larger yearning to travel, that lasted the rest of her life.

Following high school Florence attended Normal School on the University of Saskatchewan campus, graduating with a teaching certificate.

She started her career in a one room school house in Eatonia, SK before taking a long-term position in the Merrington School District, just north of Kindersley, and surprisingly only 3 miles from her father's original homestead.

She soon became renowned for the excellent schools plays and Christmas pagents her students put on, often with standing room only crowds!

Just as she was getting settled into her new location, an opportunity of a lifetime arose that took her travelling East once again. In 1944 she was offered a one-year teaching position at Indian Point, Nova scotia, just across the bay from her mothers' ancestral home.

It was a year she never forgot and stories of her family and friends there entertained her future children through many stormy winter days.

Returning home in 1945, Florence resumed teaching at Merrington School and during that time, she met and married Elwin Matthews in 1948. The newly weds settled in Kindersley and began their family. They were blessed with six children, a son Dayle born in 1949, followed by a son John in 1952, a daughter Noreen in 1953, son Neil born in 1955 followed by daughter Marilyn in 1959 and another son Warren in 1961.

In 1962 Elwin was transferred by CN Rail to Saskatoon. Life in the big city was exciting but raising 6 children was expensive.

Florence felt she had to go back to work to meet the needs of a growing family. Thus began her 20 plus year career at Eaton's Department Store. She started in the Paint and Wallpaper Dept. but eventually found her niche in the Housewares and Small Appliances Dept. Florence loved this department and it showed through the many customer service awards as well as internal recognition and commendations she received.

Age finally caught up to Florence in 1986 and she retired, but not because she wanted to.

Retirement and idleness didn't sit well with her for very long. Not long after she retired, her love for the outdoors enticed her to take up cross country skiing and she accompanied her daughters and families on several ski trips to the Rocky Mountains.

Soon she was travelling wherever she could - tour bus trips around western Canada, car trips to Calgary to see the boys, which was really to see the mountains! Plus, a trip to Oklahoma and the south west states travelling with her son Dayle and family.

But always there was a pull to the East. Sparked by her son John's visit to her old haunts and family in Nova Scotia, in 1976 Florence planned a few short trips east with her daughters. These led to annual pilgrimages of four months to her beloved Mahon Bay and Oakland Hill where she spent many months, over many years, overlooking her beloved Mahon Bay.

Before dementia took her memories, Florence compiled a list of over 30 trips by train, bus, car and plane including a special train trip through the Canadian Rocky Mountains accompanied by her daughters to celebrate her 85th birthday.

Her only real regret was that she never got to see Canada's North.

Although stricken with dementia in her later years, Florence never lost her love for music or her sense of humor. She would say "it is always great to have a laugh".

So, to Florence's family and friends who are reading this, please remember . . .

She lived,

She laughed,

She loved,

And now she is gone, but forever in our hearts.

The Matthews family extend their heartfelt thanks to all the staff of St. Ann's Long Term Care Home for the loving care Mom received for the past 6 years.

A Celebration of Mom's life will take place at a Memorial Reception on Wednesday September 10, 2025 at 1:30 pm with a program starting at 2:00 pm at the Edwards Family Centre. Parking available at the Saskatoon Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.