Obituary of Frances Michelle Matthews

Frances “Michelle’ Matthews

nee Brake

Rainbow Dancer

Meadows

November 1, 1961- November 19, 2021

After a long battle with ovarian cancer, with courage and strength, Frances Michelle Matthews nee Brake became another angel on November 19, 2021. She passed peacefully in the arms of her devoted family at the Palliative Care unit at Western Memorial Long Term Care. She was the loving wife of Jason Matthews for 36 years, proud mother of Brittany Matthews (Shane Tuinder) and Ryan Matthews (Shantal House) and Nukumij (Grandmother) to Mathieson Tuinder. She was the third child of Charles and Dinah Brake; sister to Wanda (Rick) Penney, Floyd (Rona) Brake, and Janice (Karl) Brake; Daughter-in-law to Eliza Matthews; Sister-in-law to Sonia (Jim) Carew, Jocelyn (Jim) Vey, and Cynthia Matthews; Aunt to nieces and nephews, Laurie Penney (Roger MacIinnis), Andrew Penney (Janna Brake), Scott (Kayla) Brake, Nathan Brake (Adrianna Saunders), Travis Brake, Evan Brake, Jennifer (Gerard) Brake, Blair Matthews, Kelly (Danny Piercey), Sueanne Carew (Dave Burke), Jimmy Carew, Jacqueline Trecartin, Shauna Simon (David McEachren), Lawrence Rose, Alicia Vey (Carter Button), and Tyler (Amy Bastow) Vey; Great-Aunt to nieces and nephews, Daisy MacInnis, Maggie Brake, Morgan Penney, Hunter Brake, Kinsley and Hudson Brake, Curtis Piercey, Hailey Carew (Curtis McGrath), Nathan and Hunter Carew, Megan Simon, Sydney and Kyle Brake, and Olivia Smith.

Michelle was predeceased by her father Charles Brake (2020), her mother Dinah Brake (2017), father-in-law Donald (Dick) Matthews (2013), sister-in-law Sheila Laing (2006), brother-in-law Larry Matthews (2012), and nieces Morgan Simon (2014) and Amanda Brake (1980).

Michelle grew up in the town of Meadows, where she also raised her family and taught Grade 3 at Northshore Elementary. She was beautiful inside and out, had a strong and selfless spirit and always saw the good in everyone and everything. She loved her friends and family fiercely and thrived on the conversation and company of others. Her children were her world, and she loved them dearly as well as their partners. Becoming a Nukumij (Grandmother) was her greatest joy.

Michelle was a born educator, who touched the lives of so many through her 30 year career as a primary school french teacher. She impacted the lives of hundreds of children in schools from Hampden, Cormack, Corner Brook, Stephenville, to Meadows both as teacher and a cultural educator with Qualipu First Nation Band. She believed every child was special in their own way and loved each as though they were her own.

She was passionate about her indigenous culture, spending countless hours learning about Mi’kmaq tradition and language, and gave generous amounts of her time volunteering as President of the Corner Brook Aboriginal Women’s Association (CBAWA), director of the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network (NAWN), with various drumming and singing groups and leading educational and creative work-shops. She was honoured to be an Elder in the Mi’kmaq band. She was named Rainbow Dancer, given that light and love surrounded her wherever she went.

Visitation will take place on Monday November 22 from 1pm-2pm for immediate family, at 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm for the public. There will be a “Celebration of a Mi’kmaq Woman” on Tuesday, November 23 at 7pm-9pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday November 24 at 2pm. It is Michelle’s wish that bright colours are to be worn at the funeral service. All events will take place at Fillatre’s Funeral Home on 4 St. Mark’s Avenue, Corner Brook. Double vaccination is required with the vaccine passport required upon entry. Masks will be required at all times.

The Interment will be held at Mount Patricia Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Janeway Children's Hospital.

Thank you to the numerous health care professionals, friends, and family who have helped care for her, sent words of encouragement and supported her over the years. 

The world is extremely less bright and colourful now that she is gone, however she leaves saying, “Do not cry, I have had the best life, with lots, lots and lots of love”.

To View the Celebration of a Mi'Kmaq Woman, please click and register with the following link

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=56269c01-08d3-4b4d-b39a-03baa07c9c33

To view the funeral service, please click and register with the following link

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=7ed88bc4-3463-43e0-aaf8-4a4683a42624