Mrs. Verna Matson, 69, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Thursday, July 8, 2010 in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre following a massive stroke.
Verna was born in Fort William on April 18, 1941 and grew up surrounded by family and friends in South Gillies. She spent the majority of her life in Thunder Bay with the exception of one year in Saskatoon, where her husband was working.
She attended Selkirk High School and left just shy of graduation in order to marry the love of her life, Ernest Hilding Matson. Verna was a stay at home mother who enjoyed the traditional life until the loss of Ernie’s job motivated her to learn basic business skills through the retraining division of Confederation College. She graduated with flying colours and worked for one year at Dominion of Canada Insurance Agency and for over ten years at McKellar Hospital.
Verna was forced into retirement earlier than she would have liked - a victim of downsizing. She loved her family and friends though she socialized less and less since the passing of those dear to her.
Verna is survived by her children Barry Matson (Joceline) and Cheryl Redding (Craig); grandchildren Melanie and Blair Matson and Alex Redding; sister Lorna Annala (Roger); beloved nieces Shannon, Cathy and Pam and nephew Cody as well as by two very special sister in laws, Irene Loukola and Alanna Baxter. Numerous other members of the Lankinen and Matson clans also survive.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Ernest; parents Weikko and Gertrude (Gertie) Loukola; two brothers Wayne Loukola and more recently Don Loukola.
Funeral Services for the late Mrs. Verna Matson will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 15, 2010 in Calvary Lutheran Church, 2820 Donald Street at Edward, with Rev. John Schmidt officiating.
Interment will follow in Mountainview Cemetery.
If friends so desire, donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.
