Helga Matthews

1941 - 2026

Helga Marie Matthews (née McFall), beloved wife of the late Gough Matthews, passed away in Medicine Hat on Friday, July 31, 2026 at the age of 84 years.

Helga is survived by her children Cynthia Matthews (Kevin Faller) of Medicine Hat, Cyril (Michelle) Matthews of Foremost, Malcolm (Tricia) Matthews of Foremost and Carrie (Barry) Taylor of Medicine Hat; her grandchildren Chris (Paige) Schlenker, Carter Schlenker, Kayley (Devin) Schutter, Kaitlin Matthews (Trent Tunke), Hailey Smith (Carter Oczkowski), Graham Matthews (Jacie Reesor), Walker Matthews (Sarah Guskjolen), Mavrik Matthews (Abigail Neigum), LeAnna Karl, Tyler (Robyn Hammel), Thomas (Katie) Brazil, Melody Brazil, Anna Taylor (Camron Bratke), Brandon Taylor and Megan Taylor; great grandchildren Porter Schlenker, Wyatt, Easton and Hayes Schutter, Kaidence and Tanner Karl, Bentley and Hayes Hammel, Rylan, Eden, Benjamin Brazil, Axel Brazil and Hadleigh Bratke. She is also survived by her sister Deanna Siewart of Lethbridge and by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Edwin Gough Matthews (2018); her parents Bessie McFall (née Penney) (1989) and Waldo McFall (1984); brother Fred McFall (2019), sister Penney Jacober (1995) and brother-in-law Elmer Jacober (2023).

Helga was born in the Medicine Hat Hospital, December 29, 1941. She was then raised on the family farm near Etzikom. As a young woman she attended Secretary school and worked at the Royal Bank in Brooks for a short time. She married Gough in 1969 and moved to “the farm” where she remained and raised four children.

Helga is known for her baking of bread and buns. She has made many blankets from new and old jeans. She was known for selling eggs and caring for her chickens.

When she wasn’t working on the farm, her and Gough could be found at a dance somewhere in southern Alberta, they were also known for crashing a wedding dance or two.

Helga was a kind person and had a quiet sense of humour; you had to listen and pay attention to get her joking.

In the later years, Helga enjoyed going for coffee, visiting with many friends and helping at the senior center in Foremost.

The Burial Service will be held at the Nemiskam Cemetery, at the corner of Highway 61 and Range Road 103, South of Foremost on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 1:00 P.M.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Foremost Community Hall, 802 - 1 Avenue West, Foremost on Saturday, August 8, 2026 between 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Helga’s name may be made directly to the Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre (Clinic Medicine Hat), c/o Alberta Cancer Foundation, 710, 10123 - 99 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3H1 (Phone toll-free 1-866-412-4222) or to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 995 Station Main, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4A4 www.kidney.ca.