With sadness, we share the passing of Carman, one of the all-time characters and a true force of nature!
Daughter of the late Edward Stanley Mathews and Ruth (Reynolds) Mathews and sister of the late Donald Mathews, Bliss Mathews and Wendy (Mathews) Hale.
Predeceased by her husband of 67 years, James (Jim) Laurie, she will be dearly missed by her devoted children John (Nancy), Heather (Paul), Jo-Anne (Gerald, recently passed) and David (Louise), grandchildren Morgan, Erin, John, Eric, Juliana, Trevor and Sarah as well as great-grandchildren Henry, Arthur, Caffrey, Esme, Jack and Angus and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Always so full of life and seemingly in constant motion, Carman was a unique person and progressive thinker; high-spirited, irreverent…a “firecracker” with boundless energy, while also a gifted (and always competitive!) athlete.
Carman’s unabashed honesty and candid humour endeared her to a large circle of friends of quite varied ages and backgrounds. Likeminded rebels seemed to gravitate towards her, creating many close & life-long friendships. Above all, an original, she lived a vibrant life on her own terms and embedded this philosophy into her family. Independence, resourcefulness, authenticity and a “get on with it” approach, always being her trademarks.
Referring to herself as a “town & country”, Carman spent the early part of her life in Westmount and Ville de Lery (Woodlands) before meeting Jim and spending the rest of her life in Hemmingford surrounded by apples and dogs on the family farm.
A graduate of Roslyn School, Westmount High and the Royal Victoria Hospital Nursing program, mom enjoyed nursing before raising a family but she was happiest when she was doing sports and competing. An avid skier (a proud Penguin!), tennis player, yogi and golfer (Club Champion), she played fiercely! Gardening, partying and knitting being her other past-times.
A life well-lived, we are all smiling through our tears in celebrating you and your special life. You will be missed!
Special thanks to team J&C for the care enabling her to stay at home until the end.
As per her wishes, no funeral will be planned. A celebration of life with family and friends will be held in the spring.
Serre & Finnegan
1-800-263-3074
www.serrefinnegan.com
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Barrie Memorial Hospital Foundation.