Mattie Viola Isabella Johnson

Oley was born in River John, Nova Scotia, on August 25th, 1922, to Lemuel Gammon and Marian (MacKay) Gammon. At the age of two, Oley moved to Toney River where she would meet her future husband, William Matheson. They married and had her first son, Johnny, in 1942. William joined the war effort overseas, and tragically passed in Holland in 1945 without ever making it home to his young son and wife. Oley found love once more with her close friend and then second husband Angus Johnson. Oley and Angus had 3 more sons and two daughters while living in Toney River. In 1956 they packed up the kids in the backseat and moved across the country (for the first time) to Prince George, BC. Oley and Angus moved back and forth, from BC to Nova Scotia, two more times before finally settling down for good in Prince George in 1981.

For 41 years Oley would live in the same house on the Hart, close to many of her children and grandchildren. Over the years, many family events and special memories were made at Oley’s kitchen table. Oley loved gardening, knitting, family road trips, playing cards, and reminiscing about her life and the people in it. Oley was unapologetically feisty, funny, bold, honest, and always happy to “put the kettle on” for anyone who dropped by. She was a force; she did what she wanted, whenever she wanted, including getting her first tattoo for her 80th birthday. She was very witty and clever; she had an answer for everything and gave it to you if you wanted it or not.

After nearly 100 years of life, Oley is now reunited with countless friends and family including her parents; her brother Bill Gammon; sisters, Jessie Gammon and Nell (Gammon) Sutherland; first husband, William Matheson; second husband, Angus Johnson; first son, John Matheson and his wife Diane; twin sons Richard and Curtis Johnson, and grandsons John Matheson Junior and Darren Matheson. Oley is survived by her children, Fraser (Darlene) Johnson, Patty (Ron) Malyk, Mary Ellen (Bob) Christy; grandchildren, Anne-Marie, Tammy, Jenny, Sara, Shaun, James, and Nicole; numerous great-grandchildren; great-great grandchildren and sisters-in-law, Betty Elliot and Marjorie Fraser, as well as nieces, nephews, and friends.

There will be no visitation or funeral, however there will be a family Celebration of Oley’s Life in August to mark what would have been her 100th birthday. Cremation has taken place, and burial will take place at a later date, when Oley’s family takes her on a final cross-country trek back to Toney River, Nova Scotia.