Obituary of Lois Matthews

MATTHEWS, Lois Verna Passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Columbia Forest Long Term Care on Saturday November 10, 2012 in her 85th year. Faithful and loving wife of her late husband Burt (former President of the Universities of Waterloo and Guelph) who passed away in 2004. Dear mother of David and his wife Jane of Mississauga and Tom and his wife Ellen of Summerland BC. Beloved sister of Bev of Ottawa. Grammie to Geoff, Amy, Stephen and Krista. Great grandmother to little Brynn. Special long time friend of Lorraine Munn and Trish Breithaupt. Lois was born May 1, 1928 in Prescott, Ontario. She graduated from the Kingston nursing program in 1951, married Burt in 1952 and began her nursing career in Ithaca, New York. Upon completion of Burt's PhD at Cornell, the young family returned to Ontario, settling in the Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo areas. Although she travelled the world with her husband, Lois' greatest love was time spent at Bruce Beach on Lake Huron. Lois faced many health challenges over the last years of her life, but did so with the grace and dignity that characterized her many demanding years as a university president's wife. She is remembered as a strong willed but kind and generous person who never gave up hope. May she now be free of her bonds and rest in a better place. The family extends their gratitude to the staff of Columbia Forest for their excellent care, kindness and support over her years there. Friends are invited to share their memories of Lois with her family during visitation at the Erb and Good Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Wednesday November 14 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. A funeral service will be held in the chapel of the funeral home on Thursday, November 15 at 10:30 AM with Reverend Alan Cook officiating. Reception to follow. A private family interment will take place. If so desired, in lieu of flowers and in recognition of her long term commitment to higher education, donations to the Lois Matthews Scholarship Fund at the University of Waterloo may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.