We are saddened to announce Mom’s passing at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on Monday, December 20, 2021, one month after her 96th birthday.
Born November 20, 1925, in Des Moines, Iowa, she was the eldest daughter and one of seven siblings of the late Robert and Ellen (Karlsson) Austin. She spent her early years in Whycocomagh where she met and married Murdock, her husband of 56 years. Dad predeceased Mom in 2004.
Mom is survived by her sons, Sander (Sheila), Sydney, John (Anita), Sherwood Park, AB and David (Elizabeth), Sydney. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Craig and Kerri, Sherwood Park and Drew, Breton Mark and Dylan, Sydney and seven great-grandchildren, Elly, Hayden, Camryn, Austin, Ty, Byron and Sarah, all in Sherwood Park. She is also survived by her sisters, Ingrid (John) Gillis, Amherst and Annie (the late Donald) MacKenzie, Spragge, ON.
Mom was predeceased by Dad and infant daughter, Sharon. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Robert, Karlsson and Morris and sisters, Berta Pike and Laura “Lee” Landmeyer.
Mom moved to Sydney shortly after marrying and began raising her family. Her boys were her pride and joy. As the eldest daughter, she often had her younger sisters come to visit and occasionally stay with the family for school and other purposes. She loved being “Grandma” and “GG” and took pride in the accomplishments of all her grandchildren.
In addition to family, Mom was a huge hockey fan. Many Saturday nights were spent enjoying her homemade fries and watching Hockey Night in Canada, especially when the Maple Leafs were playing. Often you would see her looking out the window watching the neighborhood kids playing road hockey.
She loved to bake and handcrafted many knitted items for her grandchildren. We always had fresh homemade baking in the house, and her molasses candy was a family favorite. She had many longtime friends. A favorite past-time was to join them for an afternoon at the Casino, where a small wager and lots of laughs were exchanged. She often left with more than she came with!
Words cannot express enough the appreciation the family wishes to convey to the staff at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital for their care and compassion during her final days. In particular, we want to thank Dr. Myatt and Janice for their long term care of our Mom. Their compassion and understanding gave us great comfort.
Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of Sydney Memorial Chapel. Interment will take place in Stewartdale Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County, the Horizon Achievement Centre Society or the BGC Cape Breton.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Louise Matheson 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia