Obituary of Elsie Oneta Matthews

December 26, 1927 - St. Phillips, Barbados
October 8, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Elsie Matthews of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at the age of 95 years.

Elsie was born one of three children in St Phillips, Barbados, on December 26, 1927. She travelled by boat to England in the late 1940s to meet her sister Carmen and trained in midwifery and nursing. She then travelled to New York as an exchange student and then on to Philadelphia to start her career. She moved to Toronto for work in 1960. She married Charles Matthews in 1964, and soon after, her only child, Millard, was born. She lived in Toronto, working as a registered nurse in ophthalmology, neurology, pediatrics, and geriatrics until she retired in 1992. After retirement, she served as a volunteer at Queensway General Hospital for three years. In 1995, when she learned she was about to become a grandmother, she promptly moved to Calgary to live close to Millard and his family.

Elsie was an extraordinary person. Her faith in God, which she nurtured with deliberate effort and care every day, guided her to live her life with charity and kindness to all. She made friends easily and dedicated herself to nurturing her friendships. In her retirement, Elsie loved to do many things: bake, pray, read, knit, walk, watch The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful, attend services at her parish, and most of all, spend time with her “Grands.” Elsie’s favourite saying to her grandkids was, “See you tomorrow, please God.”

Her family was her greatest joy and gave her life value and meaning. She was THE BEST nana to Thomas and Samantha! They were intimately involved in each other's lives. She was also a wonderful mom to Millard and then mom-in-law to Margaret and her siblings and extended family, who all meant a great deal to Elsie - and her to them.  

Elsie is survived by her son, Millard; daughter-in-law Margaret; and her grandchildren, Thomas and Samantha. Elsie is also survived by her niece, Leander Neckles, and her nephews, Ivor and Trevor Neckles. Elsie was predeceased by her spouse, Charles Matthews, and her sister, Carmen Neckles.

Elsie will always be deeply loved and dearly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Service, which will be held at St. Peter's Anglican Church (903 - 75th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB) on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Elsie’s family here.

In living memory of Elsie Matthews, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.