Obituary of Pauline MATHEZER

December 2, 1935 – Bristol, England

July 13, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Pauline Mathezer, beloved wife of Gordon Mathezer, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, July 13, 2020, at the age of 84 years after a short battle with cancer.  

Pauline was born in Bristol, England on December 2, 1935. She was the fifth of eleven children. Pauline was evacuated with two of her sisters during the war, before being reunited with her family in 1944. Pauline was a teacher in Bristol for eight years and eventually moved to Canada in 1966, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Library Science at UBC before moving to Ottawa where she met Gordon. They were married in Ottawa in 1970 before moving to Toronto where their only child, Stephen, was born two years later. The family moved to Calgary in 1978 where they have resided ever since.

After a time working at the U of C library, Pauline taught Library and Information Technology at SAIT. Shortly after she retired in 1995, Pauline helped Gordon recover from his stroke and then dedicated her next twenty-five years to helping others, volunteering with the Stroke Recovery Association of Calgary and with the Canada Revenue Agency. She filed thousands of tax returns over twenty-five years, ensuring that the most vulnerable maximized their income. Her efforts were recognized in 2018 when the Governor-General awarded her the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for her dedication to helping others. Pauline often remarked how her mother taught her to always help others and Pauline was always happiest when she was helping. The impact that she has had on other peoples’ lives is even more apparent after her passing as people from all parts send messages remarking how much she gave and how much she helped.

The birth of her granddaughter Olivia in 2006 and grandson Carter, who shares her birthday, in 2009 began a new phase of her life during which she dedicated as much time as she could to her grandchildren. They have both inherited her love of the outdoors and took great joy in recounting their adventures to her. She treasured their time together and valued each of them for their unique attributes.

Besides her loving husband, Pauline is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Michelle; grandchildren, Olivia and Carter, and four sisters, Dot, Jan, Marion, and Rae.

A Private Family Gathering will be held. To honour Pauline, please celebrate all the wonderful contributions that you made to her blessed life and continue her mission to help others who are less fortunate. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Pauline’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Stroke Recovery Association of Calgary (STAC), PO Box 5051, Station A, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 8W1, www.alsab.ca.

In living memory of Pauline Mathezer, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD SE, CALGARY, Ab T2X 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.