Constance Mathew

Surrounded by love, Constance Joan Mathew died peacefully on October 27, 2024 at Wiigwas Senior Care Home in Kenora, Ontario, close to where she was born nearly 91 years earlier, at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Connie is survived by the lights of her life: daughter Nancy Wells (Peter Mardon) of Kenora, grandchildren Rachael Mary (Nathan) of Port Alberni, B.C. and Michael Mathew (Cassidy) of Kenora, great-granddaughter Aila Isabel Constance, cousins and friends. Connie was predeceased by her parents, Marian (Mary) Frances (nee Winnicki) in 1974 and Konstantin (Charlie) Mathew in 1966.

Born as Constantina Johanna Mathew on February 11, 1934, Connie and her parents moved to Red Lake, Ontario when she was four months old. She attended Red Lake Public School and graduated from Red Lake Continuation (High) School.

Connie worked at the Lakeview Bakery & Café until she ventured into the wider world by moving to Winnipeg to attend Success Commercial College. She graduated with honors in 1952 and returned to Red Lake, where her first job was in the mining recorder’s office (Department of Mines). Connie later upgraded her education by earning credits in social work from Lakehead University.

In August 1954, Connie married Jerome (Jerry) Kollman, who had also come to Red Lake as a child with his pioneering parents. They divorced a few years later. One of the most trying times of Connie’s life was when she gave birth to her son, Francis Charles Kollman, in Red Lake on November 30, 1961. While circumstances dictated that Connie had to give him up for adoption, she never stopped looking for and thinking about him. Nancy continues this search.

Connie worked tirelessly to support herself and her daughter. She was employed as a highly competent, efficient executive assistant for lawyers, Motorways, Department of Lands & Forests (now MNR), Red Lake Imperial Esso, regional geologist’s office (1968-1972), Red Lake Board of Education, Lakehead University’s anthropology department, firms in New Westminster, BC, and Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital’s x-ray department.

From 1979-1985 Connie was the proprietor of the well-known “Telecab Taxi” which served the Red Lake District. Connie was a familiar sight driving taxi, while her two beloved Old English sheepdogs had their heads out the windows with the breeze fanning their big faces.

Her dedication to social justice and affinity for the underdog informed her perspective and she always sought to help and empower others. Connie lobbied and wrote letters for countless causes. She was a lifetime member of Greenpeace, and worked toward establishing a Red Lake S.P.C.A. She gardened anywhere she lived and for a time had a cottage at St. Paul’s Bay.

Connie also helped establish the Red Lake Adult English Education Centre through her tireless work on its first board and as its first administrative assistant. She was a long-time member of St. John’s R.C. Parish in Red Lake.

After nearly 55 years in Red Lake, Connie moved to Kenora in 1989 to live closer to her daughter, Nancy, and grandchildren. Connie spent a few years working at Lake of the Woods District Hospital’s x-ray department, then at Scotia bank in Kenora before retiring. She volunteered extensively for several animal shelters in Kenora and was devoted to rescuing, feeding and otherwise caring for animals.

Connie was a strong, free-spirited, empathic, independent and courageous woman. Her huge heart was full of compassion for all living things. She enthusiastically supported all of our achievements and was always there when we needed her. How blessed we feel to have had her in our lives for so long. We will miss her terribly.

Nancy and family wish to express sincere thanks to the staff at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Dr. Sawatzky and the compassionate staff at Wiigwas Elder and Senior Home (formerly Birchwood Terrace). Special thanks to Jaki Diamond, who referred to Connie as her other mother “MommaCon”, caring for her and supporting Nancy to the end.

Connie will be interred in the family plot in Red Lake Cemetery in 2025. In her memory, donations to the Kenora Cat Shelter (thekenoracatshelter.com) would be greatly appreciated.