Obituary of Jane Elizabeth Matthews

Jane Elizabeth Matthews June 27, 1929 - March 24, 2016 Jane (Gillespie) died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday March 24, 2016. Her husband Jack died in 2007. Her sons Angus (Sandy) and Tam (Jan) and grandchildren Alec, Christopher, Geoffrey and Alison are happy to know that Jane and Jack are reunited again paddling their canoe with Jane no doubt steering from her seat in the bow. Jane and Jack grew up together in Peterborough, Ontario. They were high school sweethearts at PCVS and spent 56 happy years together. Jack and Jane were an inseparable team who provided care and guidance to the students of Lakefield College School and Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific in Victoria from 1954 to 1983. Jane was incredibly kind and helpful to students, faculty and staff, regularly opening her home for dinner, receptions and her strawberry shortcake. In their senior years, Jane continued to shape many of Jack’s ideas for the Trent University International Program and the Canadian Canoe Museum. Jane was a keen member of the Lakefield Architectural Conservation Authority Committee. Summers with family at Stony Lake sailing, canoeing and touring in the Dispro were especially happy times. A private family celebration of life with be held in August at Stony Lake. Donations in memory of Jane may be made to the Jack and Jane Matthews Endowment c/o Trent University (trentu.ca) that supports a lecture series shared by Trent, Lakefield College School and the Canadian Canoe Museum. Friends may send condolences or make donations by contacting THE HENDREN FUNERAL HOMES, LAKEFIELD CHAPEL at www.hendrenfuneralhome.com or by calling 705-652-3355.