Elsie Matheson (Grant), September 1919 – July 2014
Elsie was a very special person who brightened the lives of all who knew her. Born in Vancouver, the youngest of four children, Elsie grew up on Gravelly Street in East Vancouver in a loving but patriarchal household, observing strict Victorian standards. She was happy when the time came to immerse herself in the scholastic and social world of Britannia High, followed by the freedom and variety of life at the University of British Columbia. Every summer was spent at the family cabin by the beach at Gibsons Landing. It was there that she met Earl who would be her husband for over 60 years.
In 2008, not long after the passing of Earl, Elsie embarked on one last adventure. After more than 50 years in West Vancouver, after raising three children, Earl Jr., Sandra and George, many wonderful years working at Chartwell and Sentinel Schools, and earning a highly regarded reputation as a painter and weaver, Elsie, at the age of 89, decided to move to Powell River. It was no coincidence that the move brought her closer to where both Sandra and George had retired, but there were concerns that such a big change would be a strain on her health. The result was quite the opposite; she became energized.
The warmth and friendliness of the small town was a perfect match for Elsie’s loving and caring personality. She fell in love with Powell River and by all appearances, it returned the favour, most obviously in the attention and kindness from the home care nurses at Vancouver Coastal Health, as well as Dr. Martin Andreae and most wonderfully from a Powell River angel by the name of Inge-Lore Freeman.
Elsie was the last matriarch of our West Coast Matheson/Grant clan. She was intelligent and witty, and a wonderful loving Mum. She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren, her nieces and nephews, and especially by us, her kids.
At her request there will be no memorial. Please just picture your own happy memories of Elsie.