Mary loved life and lived every day to the fullest. She used each one of her days on this beautiful earth to learn about her community and the issues that affected all of us. Then she wrote, informing all her readers about the issues at hand.
Mary Charlotte was born in Durham on Monday, May 9, 1960 to parents, Arthur and Islay (Barber) Matthews. She was the youngest of five children, with older siblings Keith, Bob, Grant and June awaiting her arrival. The Matthews’ family lived on a dairy farm south of Varney. Here she attended Egremont Public School and later John Diefenbaker Secondary School in Hanover were she was Valedictorian.
It was in 1976, while in high school, that Mary was introduced to one Gerald Russell Golem who was installing modern dairy equipment in the Matthew’s new barn. Gerald recalled Mary bringing a bowl of strawberries down to those working on the barn and as they say, the rest is history. The young couple were married at Knox United Church, Durham on June 20, 1981 by Rev. Ken Tanner.
Mary had been working since 1980 for The Mount Forest Confederate were they graciously taught her the ropes and helped start her career in Journalism. The couple soon relocated to a rural property outside of Chesley were they built a home for their future family. The house took a year and a half to build and the couple moved in with their newborn daughter, Jennifer, on New Year’s Eve 1982. Professionally, Mary started at The Chesley Enterprise, as a reporter, in 1981. It wasn’t long before Mary’s passionate and devoted ways earned her the role of editor. In 1986, Mary, Gerald and Jennifer welcomed Trevor to their family. Soon after, Mary returned to work as editor and remained there for the next 23 years until the paper’s closure in 2005. After that, she worked as a freelance writer, mainly for The Post (Hanover), The Sun Times (Owen Sound) and the Rural Voice, endearing herself to readers through her words of wit, wisdom and opinions in her weekly “Mary’s Corner” column. Her passion for writing continued right up until this past September.
Away from work, Mary could always be seen throughout the community helping in one way or another. Over the years, she was involved with the Chesley Rotary Club, active within her church (St. Peter’s Lutheran, Sullivan) and acted as a Director for Germania Mutual Insurance for 12 years. Mary taught her children to work hard, stating “jobs worth doing are worth doing well.” Although strong willed at times, Mary was committed to her family and cared for them deeply. As a family they always enjoyed dinners together and they attended church as a family every Sunday.
In her spare time Mary enjoyed dabbling in photography… if you don’t believe us just check out all the photo albums she amassed over the years! She enjoyed baking, hiking in local conservation areas, snowshoeing and of course ATV rides and camping at the back of their property on the North Saugeen River. It was truly her sanctuary.
This write up would not be complete without touching on Mary’s social media presence. Her passion was connecting with others on Facebook, just check out her page and the Likes. Mary also enjoyed reading newspapers… imagine! It didn’t matter where she was she would always pick up the local paper and catch up on the local issues.
Mary was diagnosed with cancer in the spring of 2016. This tragic news never held her back. She put on a brave face and was determined to fight this horrible disease. She was never discouraged or depressed and always had a plan moving forward. She honestly made the best of each day she had on this beautiful earth.
Surrounded by the love of her family, Mary passed away at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Chesley on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 after a courageous and determined fight against renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). She was 57 years old.
Best friend and loving wife for 36 years of Gerald Golem. Proud and loving mother of Jennifer Chase of Newmarket and Trevor Golem and his wife Julia of Ajax. Adoring grandmother of William Chase. Loved sister of Bob Matthews and his wife Sharon and Grant Matthews, all of R.R. #3 Durham, Dr. June Matthews and her husband Ibrahim Moharram of London and her sister-in-law Shirley Matthews of Durham. Dear daughter-in-law of Russell and Margaret Golem of R.R. #4 Chesley, sister-in-law of Brenda Nicholson and her friend David Black of Tara and Kevin and Patti Golem of Hanover. Dear aunt of seven, great-aunt to one and chosen godmother to five. She will be missed by a number of special friends and by her church family at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Sullivan where she was an active and dedicated member.
Mary was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Islay Matthews, her oldest brother Keith and brother-in-law Bob Nicholson.
The family will receive friends at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Friday evening from 6 – 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Sullivan (#682006 Concession 8 – two miles south of Desboro) on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. Interment in St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery, Sullivan.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Building Fund of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church; Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Grey Bruce Health Services, Owen Sound or the Chesley Hospital Foundation.
In Mary’s memory, choose every day to live fully, help others and take time to enjoy the simple things in life, especially the beauty of God’s creation in sunrises and sunsets which Mary loved to capture in photographs.
Mary always did so much for the churches. She will be much missed. Peace to the family and God’s Blessings
Mary’s passing brings back to me fond memories of this lovely vivacious girl to whom I had the pleasure of teaching French at JDSS. I think also of June and Craig who preceded her and competed in Reach for the Top. I’ve followed Mary Golem over the years in “The Post”, always feisty and informative, not knowing that this was the same Mary Matthews. My condolences to the family on your loss.
Gerald and family,
Sincere sympathy on the loss of your dear wife Mary. We always looked forward to reading Mary’s column. It was always well worth the read. I especially remember the one for I think her daughter’s graduation. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gerald and family,
Sincere sympathy on the loss of your dear wife Mary. We always looked forward to reading Mary’s column. It was always well worth the read. I especially remember the one for I think her daughter’s graduation. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
We were so saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. May you be comforted by the fact that Mary made a huge impact to our community on so many levels, she will be surely missed. Deepest sympathy to Gerald and family.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to the Golem and Matthews families as they mourn a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and sister. I came to know Mary when I had sleepovers with her sister June in public school. I looked forward to every Mary’s Corner, and thoroughly enjoyed the ray of sunshine it contained. May you find comfort in your own loving memories.
God Bless the Golem and Matthews families, plus extended family. Mary and I went to John Diefenbaker SS together. She crowned me the Durham Fall Fair Princess. Wow. I can’t believe she’s gone.
So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to Gerald, Jennifer, Trever & family. Cherish your many memories of Mary.
With deepest sympathy, her passion for our community will be missed. May you find comfort at this most difficult time.
Gerald and family, my sincerest condolences to you. Mary was full of light and cared about her community and the people in it. I know she touched so many lives. She was a great writer, especially when it came to personal stories about people in the community, and of course, Mary’s Corner. I will make snow angels for her, as she told me to many times. She was a special lady and she will be missed by all who knew her.
I did not.know.Mary personally but i felt i did through her writing. I really enjoyed her articles in the Hanover.Post. I am.so.sorry to hear of her passing.. Sincerely, Elaine alexander
We were saddened to hear of Mary’s death and the family will hear more from us. Mary was a genuinely good person. She reflected Gospel values in the way she lived her life. We are the poorer because of her passing.
Our community has lost a truly wonderful person. Mary loved her community. She will be missed at Arran Elderslie Council meetings. I will miss her lovely pictures on facebook.
Our sincere condolences to Mary’s family.
Gerald, Jennifer, Trevor and Family
We were deeply saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. Mary embodied all that is good in a friend and neighbour. Her passing will undoubtedly leave a void however, take comfort in the fact that she will be remembered fondly by many. Our deepest sympathy to each of you at this most difficult time.
Dwayne, Robyn, Brontae and Dalan
Frook
My deepest sympathies. The world has lost a great one. They don’t come much better. Every time it snows I will think of you Mary
Our deepest sympathy. This community has lost a wonderful, compassionate lady but heaven will be much brighter. Treasure the memories.
Our deepest sympathies to the Golem/Matthews Families. As you know Mary was a valued member of the Germania Mutual Board for many years but Tracy and I were so blessed to consider Mary truly as a friend. We will always treasure and remember her smile, her laugh and her love of the small things in life, like sunrises and sunsets. We were so lucky to have enjoyed many of those things with Mary & Gerald travelling this great country these past years. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
I’ve never known anyone more enthusiastic and genuinely interested in everything and everyone than Mary. My condolences to all of her family members. You’ll miss her forever.
Our thoughts are with you in your time of deep sorrow. Gone far too soon.
Mary you were a inspiration a light and a vessel for many to promote them in happy memories in the community or to help them in trying times and get their stories heard . For many of us , you did this . You were not just passionate about your job but you were compassionate about it as well and most importantly to the people behind the stories . You always were so kind to people. You were amazing to my family in many happy articles and in the trying sad articles when you helped me during my own journey with cancer when I had a Young family and a brand new baby to get a connection and a article wrote for us in the mount forest confederate.Now hearing that you fought a battle as well. All I can say is that I know your in heaven with Jesus . He saw all the great things you did for others in your community and articles you wrote . You will be sadly missed . My sympathy to all your family , and to let them know we thank you and thought the world of Mary.
Gerald and family, deepest sympathy. We are saddened to hear the news. Mary was one of those special people who could make this world a much more positive place.
Deepest sympathy Gerald and all of Mary’s family. Mary was a special lady. That smile could light up the room and your heart. She will be missed.
Our sincere condolences Gerald, Jennifer and Trevor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
To Gerald, Jennifer and Trevor and families. Mary always said it as it was. I admired her and respected her immensely for that. Her longtime commitment to the news of the Chesley and area will always be a staple of this community. Her hard work and her big smile. I always enjoyed my visits and chats with her and Bruce Krug we would talk about history and photography something that we all loved. We had the same likes sunsets and sunrises, icicles on tree branches and nature the beauty of it. It is with a sad and heavy heart that we say goodbye at such a young age. I am positive and sure she is smiling down on us. Truly my sympathies to you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Golem family.
Our deepest condolences at this difficult time. Mary was so very committed to her family and community, and so many of us grew up reading her work. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Deepest Sympathy to Gerald and family at this time.
My condolences on behalf of the Peter family…long time neighbours of the Matthews’ clan.
I am so sorry to read this sad news. Mary was such a delight to work with during the time I wrote the weekly “Clergy Corner”, and always had such a bright smile whenever I’d meet her. She is safely Home now, but she will leave such a hole in so many lives. Peace to all who mourn this loss.
It is with a heavy and saddened heart that I send my deepest sympathy to one and all of the Golem family at this time of loss of one so dear . She will leave a huge hole in the fabric of the community that I doubt can ever be filled. She had a way with words that touched everyone in all the right places. Remember her for her humour and goodwill to everyone she encountered along her path of life.
Mary, you are gone too soon. Gerald and family, thanks for sharing Mary with the rest of the world, so she could help us all know a bit about each other’s lives. Her accurate reporting, wonderful insights, and nonstop community service helped us all be a better community. R.I.P.
Our Deepest Sympathy! We will always remember her support to Chesley Fall Fair and Chesley Agricultural Society. Sincere Condolences.
We will remember Mary with a smile on our faces, the same way she always met everyone. We will always remember her hearty, infectious laugh.
My deepest sympathy to you all at this very sad time. Mary will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was a very special lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficut time.
Gerald and family, my deepest sympathy. Mary wasn’t just a co-worker, she was a dear friend. I will cherish her memories forever.
Mary sure knew how to let her light shine. She was a beacon for sure!! May you treasure all the memories and know she is a star for sure in heaven. God’s Peace!
Gerald & family
So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. She was such a ‘positive’ role model to the entire community. We’ll never forget her. My parents, Harvey and Clara Klages adored her!
We were deeply saddened to learn of Mary’s passing. She was a special friend. Her positive and cheery outlook will be missed. Our condolences to Gerald, Jennifer, Travis and familes at this difficult time.
We were deeply saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. When ever we met Mary and Gerald at any function , Shannon would always say “lets sit with Mary at the fun table” A wonderful woman who touched so many people’s lives. Mary will be missed by many. Our condolences to the Golem and Mathews families
Our sincere condolences to Gerald, Jennifer, Trevor and families.
We were always so impressed by Mary’s energy, her outgoing personality, and her willingness to help promote the community and the people within it. Please know we are thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Gerald and family
We are sorry to hear of Mary’s passing.
She was an inspiration to all of us
Gerald, we are saddened to hear of Mary’s passing at such a young age. Please take care of yourselves and one another.
Gerald and Family …We are so deeply sorry for your sad loss. Mary was such a big part of so many people’s lives ! Sorry she had to go through so much! She will be dearly missed by her family and so many.
Our sincere condolences on your loss. Mary was indeed a pillar of this community. You could count on her and she would come through wholeheartedly. Tremendous writer and photographer as well as friend and family persona. She will be truly missed by all.
Gerald and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you, May you fined wonderful thoughts and memories you all shared to help with the challenging days.