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Rose Marie MATTHEWS

February 15, 2010

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend Rose Marie Matthews circa February 15th at the age of 69.

Born in New Zealand on February 2nd, 1941, Rose desired to teach and to travel. Venturing off across the ocean in her early twenties, Rose taught in England. She soon thereafter desired to come to Canada. Rose taught in Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, not far from Tuktoyaktuk and the Arctic Ocean. Then, traveling down the Pacific Ocean coastline, Rose settled in Squamish to teach.

With a true belief in education, Rose entered UBC and completed her Master’s Degree in 1994. Wishing to live in the Fraser Valley, Rose taught up the Fraser Canyon in Boston Bar at North Bend Elementary from 1991 to 1993. She soon moved down to Hope and taught at Coquihalla Elementary, Yale Elementary and Silver Creek Elementary. In 1998, Rose transferred to Kent Elementary in Agassiz. Continuing to teach in Agassiz, Rose moved to Chilliwack and enjoyed living on Promontory for numerous years.

Moving there long before the housing increase, she would just make a sandwich, grab some water, and step out her door to hike not necessarily knowing for how long but to enjoy nature. Another favourite hiking area was Manning Park. Hiking Lightning Lake and appreciating the flowers at Rhododendrum Flats were regular events.

In 2004, Rose retired from teaching Grade 1 at Kent Elementary School in Agassiz. She taught for forty years and enjoyed it right up to the end.

As Rose believed in education, her first two years of retirement were two years of enrollment at UCFV completing the English as a Second Language Education diploma. Then, Rose taught ESL to our community at Central Elementary School before truly retiring only a year and a half ago.

Rose was physically fit and loved the outdoors. She partook with hiking clubs, venturing up many mountains, and the Mount Cheam Volks­sport Club, walking many kilometres and sharing moments with fellow walkers from across the valley. Her keen personality sometimes caused her to make random choices to travel in BC, to camp, and to explore somewhere new and exciting. What a venturous character she was! She truly shall be missed.

Rose leaves behind close friends, retired colleagues, many walkers, and a special dog named Becky who knew her as her ‘Auntie Rose’.

We wish to thank Ms. Stewart, Mr. Haslett, and Mr. Veldman for their dedication and compassion at the passing of Rose.



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