The Euology is gave at my Mother-In-Law's funeral, Saturday, January 27, 2018:

Today I have the pleasure of paying tribute to an extrodinary lady - Helen Florence Matthews.  She was a wife, a mother, a Nana, Great-Nana, sister, aunt, friend.

Helen, or Mom as we knew her, began her life journey 95 years ago on January 2, 1923 - and oh what a journey it was.  She was born in Toronto, second child of Florence Sarah Chartrand-Truckle and John Herbert Truckle.  Her mother died in childbirth when Helen was just 6 years old.  Needless to say, life in Hogtown was tough, but even then she knew the meaning of family.  She held on tight to her younger siblings, Thelma and Jimmy, remaining a loyal and life long friend until Jim's and Thelma's passing.

She married the love of her life, Arthur Matthews on April 18, 1942.  They were determined to establish a house, a home, a family and they did an awesome job together.  The legacy of Helen and Art are found in their family - their eldest daughter, Diane and her husband Don Oster; their only son, Gary and me, Gary's wife Kitti; their youngest daughter, Cathy and her husband Chuck Stradling - their grandchildren, Debbie and her husband Chris Spilar; Christine and her husband, Tony Anton, Kristopher Venton and his wife Sarah and on to their great-grandchildren, Ryan Spilar, Brandon Spilar, Nick Anton and Hudson and Gwen Venton.

Family was everything to Helen and time spent together was paramount.  Summers at the cottage in Wilberforce, tea and talk around the kitchen table, Christmas day celebrations at 8 Brantwood - Mom made memories for us to cherish forever.

Dad passed away in 1984 and Mom took control of her next journey as a widow.  Brantwood was lonelier without Art and Mom made the decision to move, taking up residence in Newmarket, Ontario.  Here she flourished with new friends and new adventures.  She traveled, joined a bowling league, gardened, drove here, there and everywhere and even had time for an occasional "Bingo" - she loved life, her family and friends.

Aging is now always easy and Helen faced the inevitable with her usual style - she gave up driving at nearly 90 years of age, sold her beloved home on Beswick and moved into the Roxborough.  Here she enjoyed the activities and socials and was always up for a challenge at billiards with either fellow residents or visiting family.  She usually won!!

Summer of 2016 Helen had an unfortunate fall and that resulted in changing lifestyles once again.  This time was to South Lake Village where she fit in with ease - staff loved her and she loved them in return.  In many ways, they became her extended family and for this we are eternally grateful.

Mom left us at 4:40 p.m. Thursday, January 18.  Her passing was gentle and kind and with the style and dignity that was Helen.  She is, was and always will be loved and kept safe in our hearts.  We are comforted to know that Mom is now reunited with Dad...once again, two young lovers with nothing better to do...

Rest easy dear lady, this awesome journey is over.