Matilda Jane Wiens (Matti), was born on a farm in the Gouldtown area, on February 1, 1930. Matti we called her, she was the smallest of seven siblings, but people used to say that in the 30's you were lucky to get your seed back. She was everyone's favorite sister and aunt. She never married - she was too busy looking after everyone else. Matti started school in the River Dell school then moved with her parents to the Trossachs area where she attended Rockfield school. From there she struck off on her own, going to BC to pick berries for a few years. Then she worked at Woolworths in Weyburn, then at the Weyburn Mental Hospital for a few years. She then took a C.N.A. course and now she was ready for adventure. She worked in Saskatchewan for a while but then signed on at the hospital in Inuvik, NWT. She nursed there for several years - while there she crossed the Arctic Circle three times. She came back to Vancouver and worked there until she retired from St. Paul's Hospital. Matti always had to see what was on the other side of the hill, and so whenever she could spare the time, she travelled - going on some ocean cruises. She went to Australia where she travelled from coast to coast in old school buses and on the backs of camels. She went to Africa where she could hear the lions roar at night outside their compound. She had to go see Ireland, where she kissed the Blarney Stone. This was quite an adventure because they hang you, head first over a high wall, so you can reach the stone. Matti was a member of St. Andrews-Wesley United Church in Vancouver, and after retiring from work, she did whatever she could to help out at the church. On December 16, 2011 the Lord took Matti by the hand and together they crossed over to the other side. A service to celebrate Matti's life was conducted at St. Andrews-Wesley Church on January 15, 2012. A graveside service for Matti was conducted at the Halbrite Cemetery by Pastor Cicely McDougall, on June 10, 2012. Matti will be lovingly remembered by two sisters, Johanna (Ike), Winnipeg, MB; Sarah (Ken), Vancouver Island, BC; and one sister-in-law, Grace, of Saskatoon; two brothers Peter (Darleane), Weyburn, John (Norma) of Halbrite, and numerous nieces and nephews, and some very special friends in Vancouver. Matti was predeceased by her parents, John and Sarah Wiens, one sister Anne, one brother Henry, one brother-in-law Dave, and one nephew Jason. We thank God for having given her to us for a little while. Aufwiedersehn Matti.
