April 5, 1937 - August 24, 2024
We are saddened to announce the death of Myrna Alberta Matthews on August 24, 2024, at the age of 87. Myrna is survived by daughter Karen and son John (Marilyn), granddaughters Rhianna (Raymi), Rowan (James), Devin (Marshall), Jenna, and great-grandson Elio. She was predeceased by her husband Ray in 2020.
Myrna was born in Edmonton, Alberta on April 5, 1937, to Amelia Mildred Harmel and Russell Albert Isherwood. Raised on a farm, she attended Old Strathcona High School, then worked as Director of Girls and Women's Activities for the City of Edmonton, Parks and Recreation.
In 1957 Myrna worked as a lifeguard at the pool in Jasper, Alberta. She shared a first kiss with Ray Matthews at a New Year's Eve party. He walked her back to her hotel, they jumped on a railway coach to warm up, and he proposed. She accepted the following day and they married on August 31, 1958.
Myrna and Ray enjoyed their time in Jasper immensely, and for a few years printed the local paper, the Jasper Booster, out of their basement. They had a lively social life and forged life-long friendships with the Reid and Johnson families, among many others. In 1971 Ray's work for the CN took the family from Jasper to Burnaby, then on to Smithers, Biggar, Edmonton, North Delta, Montreal, and eventually back to Edmonton.
When Myrna and Ray retired to Mission, Myrna embraced her new community with an astonishing outpouring of energy. Myrna achieved the designation of Master Weaver in Canada and was a founding member of the Mission Weavers and Spinners Guild. She helped create the Mission Tartan and saw its registration in Scotland. Myrna was also a founding member of the Mission Communities in Bloom Society and served on the board of the Mission Heritage Association. As President of the Mission Arts Council she helped to secure the present location of the Mission Arts Centre. In 2006 she was presented with Mission's Arts and Culture Award and in 2008 she was appointed a Path and Pathfinders: Women of Mission Honoree by the Mission Community Archives.
Myrna and Ray loved to travel and saw much of the world. After Ray's passing in 2020, Myrna moved to Vernon, BC to be closer to her son John.
Myrna will be remembered for her smile, her kindness, and for her dedication and organizational abilities as a community volunteer. She was greatly loved and will be deeply missed.
A memorial service will be held later in the spring in Mission BC, date as yet to be determined.