Obituary of G. Helen Mather

MATHER, G. Helen

Gwendolen Helen Cockayne was born March 24, 1934 in Birmingham, England. The daughter of Ernest Archibald Cockayne and Queenie May Bufton made the absolute most of every day for the next 85 years. Mom died Wednesday, December 11, 2019 in Regina General Hospital, surrounded by a family that she loved so much, so well and so unconditionally, and our dear friend Dr. Mark Anderson. During a rich and joyful life, Mom overcame various tragedies with her trademark smile, good humour and unshakably optimistic nature. The Second World War devoured six years of her childhood. She lost two husbands — Alan Vanstone (1920-1982) and Alan Mather (1929-1998) — in sudden, unexpected fashion. Yet, at times when so many people reached out to support Mom, she was the one who, remarkably, was encouraging and strengthening others. She was an exceptionally proud mom (to Rob Vanstone and Laura Steadman), grandmother (to Aidan Stewart, Abby Steadman and Erica Steadman) and mother-in-law (to Chryssoula Filippakopoulos and Derek Steadman) and the proudest of Canadians. Alan and Helen Vanstone moved to Canada in 1956, two years after they were married, and quickly immersed themselves in all things Regina — Dad with his music and architecture; Mom with her love of ballet, belly dancing, garage sales, flea markets, socializing in general, vocation (as a ministerial secretary in provincial governments of multiple affiliations) and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. She attended five Grey Cup games (with her future rumpled scribe of a son) and underlined her love of football by naming her cherished Yorkshire terrier after Doug Flutie, whom she and Alan Mather met at Taylor Field on July 11, 1997. Mom and “Dog Flutie” were inseparable for nearly 20 years. Those of us who dearly miss Mom hope and trust that Flutie is snuggled up to her once more, giving her kisses and making her smile — because nobody smiled quite like her, on good days and bad. We all need to remember and emulate her spirit at this time of unrelenting sadness. We love you forever and miss you dearly, Mom. With love from Rob, Laura and our families.

The family will abide by Helen’s request that there be no funeral or life-celebration service. A private graveside service was held for family only. Helen has requested that anyone wishing to make donations in her memory contribute to the Regina Humane Society for the care of animals.