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Helen Lenore Mathers Obituary
Helen died peacefully of a sudden illness on 16 July 2024, in her 98th year, after enjoying the affection and support of her extended family. She was resolute and content at the end.
Helen was born in Santa Barbara, California. Her family lived for a time at Hope Ranch in the early days of the subdivision, but the Great Depression soon had a severe effect on the lives of many, including her family, and shaped young Helen’s frugal approach to life and strong concern for the environment.
After graduating from Occidental College in Los Angeles, Helen travelled as a youth delegate to the first assembly of the World Council of Churches in Amsterdam in 1948, and later to New York City to attend Union Theological Seminary. There she met Donald Mathers, a doctoral student. She and Donald were married in Santa Barbara in 1951, then she accompanied him home to Scotland to meet his family. After two years in London, England, they moved to Kingston, where Donald had been appointed as a professor at Queen’s Theological College, and where Helen ultimately lived for the rest of her life.
After her arrival in Kingston, Helen gave birth to three sons over seven years, all having birthdays within a week of each other. Apart from her role as a mother, she became a leader in community organizations such as Chalmers United Church and the Orphans’ Home and Widows’ Friend Society (Sunnyside Children’s Centre).
Donald’s untimely death in 1972, shortly after he was appointed Principal of the Theological College, marked the start of a new chapter of Helen’s life. She was soon appointed as the first Director of the Ban Righ Centre at Queen’s University and served on the boards of the Theological College, the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority and the Friends of Lemoine Point. She travelled widely, including to Russia, cruising in the Arctic Ocean and, with her two sisters, retracing the footsteps of their ancestors to the Alaska gold rush.
A constant of Helen’s life in Kingston was the pleasure she took in the family cottage on the north branch of Buck Lake. She spearheaded the acquisition and subdivision of a tract of land with friends, and for over 50 years was the secretary and treasurer of the organization that holds surrounding property. All of the cottages continue to the present day to be held by families who were originally involved in this project.
Helen was well-known for her Halloween “haunted basement” on Kensington Avenue, where she lived for more than 60 years, and for “Open Hut” on New Year’s Day at Buck Lake. Her spirit of volunteerism was much in evidence with the CGIT and the UCW, along with countless committees at Chalmers United Church. Helen was creative, encouraging, inquisitive and sometimes unconventional. She took delight in her family. Helen was especially appreciated for her skills as a good listener who was slow to judge. She enjoyed good conversations and was a peerless mother-in-law. There was nothing she liked more than to hike with friends in Frontenac Provincial Park, and yet she was remarkably accepting of her limitations as her age advanced. She was grateful for the good fortune in her life, even though it was well-earned.
Helen was predeceased by her parents and three siblings. She is survived by her three sons, James (Anne), Alastair (Mary Jane McDowell) and David (Jillann Rothwell), her six grandsons, Graham (Lindsey Griffith), Robert (Samantha (“Sam”) Marshall), Hugh, Alex (Abby Chornous), Ted and Gordon, her great grandchildren, Rosalind and Benjamin, and her niece and nephew in California, Leslie Neilson and Laird McLain, and their families.
A committal service was held for her family before cremation. They are most grateful to the Rev. Don McLean, a lifelong friend, who officiated. The family welcomes all who wish to attend a celebration of Helen’s life on Tuesday 13 August 2024 at the James Reid Funeral Home, 1900 John Counter Blvd., Kingston, Ontario. The family will receive guests beginning at 1:00 p.m. Please arrive before 2:00 p.m. for the celebration of life. The event will be streamed live and a recording will be available afterwards, please click HERE to register. A reception at the funeral home will follow the celebration of life.
Helen’s family expresses their thanks to the staff of the Waterford retirement residence, where she lived after leaving Kensington Avenue, and to the staff of the emergency department and Davies 4 at the Kingston General Hospital site, who cared for Helen in her final days. Those who wish to honour Helen’s memory with a donation might consider Chalmers United Church (chalmersunitedchurch.org/donate/), the Ban Righ Centre (www.givetoqueens.ca/page/view/86/476) or one of the funds supporting the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority (cataraquiconservation.ca/pages/donations).
September 28 1926
July 16 2024
Death notice for the town of: Kingston, Province: Ontario
death notice Helen Lenore Mathers September 28 1926
July 16 2024
obituaries notice Helen Lenore Mathers September 28 1926
July 16 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Helen Lenore Mathers September 28 1926
July 16 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
