Elsie May Matthie (née Malcolm)

July 30, 1930 – November 13, 2025

Elsie May Matthie (née Malcolm), 95, of Innisfail, Alberta, matriarch of both the Malcolm and Matthie families, passed away peacefully at Sunset Manor on November 13, 2025. Sharp and fully cognitive right to the end, Elsie faced her final days with the same courage, humour, honesty, and determination that defined her remarkable life.

Elsie’s early years were shaped by both love and loss. She lost her mother, Priscilla May Curtice, at the age of five, and her sister Mary six months later. Her youngest sister, Georgina Ellis of Hope, BC, was adopted and raised by an aunt and uncle. Elsie was raised by her father, George Malcolm, on the family homestead in the Aberdeen district east of Innisfail. Her best friend growing up was her beautiful horse, Nemo, and neighbours still recall the flash of matching auburn hair and coat as the two raced across the prairie.

Her father, George, later married his second wife, Irene, and together they had one son, who died as an infant, and three daughters — Elsie’s half-sisters, Ilene, Enid, and Sandra. Over the years, Elsie developed especially close friendships with Ilene and Enid, deepening bonds of sisterhood and shared family love.

At eighteen, Elsie moved to Calgary and discovered her natural talent for accounting and bookkeeping at the Isis Theatre. A fiery and independent redhead, she was never afraid to stand up for herself — famously submitting her resignation (in carbon copies, no less!) whenever she felt she deserved better pay or more respect. Later in life, Elsie challenged injustice and always fought for the underdog – many letters to the Editor were written and published to raise awareness to issues she felt needed to be addressed.

It was at a barn dance in Calgary that Elsie met her life mate, Carl Matthie, and they were married in 1953. Together, they built a loving family, welcoming their son George in 1956 and their daughter Linda in 1959.

The family lived in Calgary until Elsie and Carl bravely purchased the Malcolm homestead in 1967, embracing the challenges of farm life with energy and determination. Elsie was a tireless worker and partner in the farm operation. She learned to drive tractors and obtained her driver’s license around age 40, later receiving her Power Wheelchair Driver’s License at age 95, showing the same tenacity and joy for life that she carried throughout her life.

Her dedication to the beautification of the farm was unmatched. Together, she and Carl spent countless hours clearing brush, planting flowers, and cultivating lawns and gardens. Their efforts were recognized in 1992 when the farm received the prestigious Cliff Doan Rural Beautification Award for a working farm — a labour of love that paid tribute to her father and grandfather. The property’s trees, planted by her great-grandfather, were featured in the book, “Heritage Trees of Alberta”.

That same year, the family farm was recognized as one of the first in Alberta to have remained in the same family for 100 years. Elsie’s commitment to preserving agricultural heritage led her to successfully lobby the Alberta government to establish the Century Farm and Ranch Program, which has now recognized over 2,000 century properties and their families in the province of Alberta. The establishment of this program is one of Elsie’s greatest accomplishments and provides a wonderful legacy for so many others to share and take pride in.

Elsie was vivacious and lived life fully. She was never afraid to take on new challenges (like mastering her iPad to stay in touch with Linda and others), speak to complete strangers, sincerely take interest in and compliment other people, and share generously of herself. She attracted people like a magnet and had a genuine curiosity about others — always eager to learn about different people, cultures, and customs. She described herself as a “gregarious loner,” equally content in the company of friends or in quiet moments of solitude, recharging her spirit.

Elsie had a profound love and appreciation for nature — she noticed everything and found joy in even the smallest wonders around her. She loved all animals, but especially horses, dogs, and her last two cats, Desi and Lucy. Over the years, she and Dad were well known for their succession of Dalmatians — six in total — and later opened her heart to rescue senior dogs. Her last dog, Jethro, who passed away this past February, was her constant companion and source of joy. Her empathy and gentle spirit extended to every living creature, and animals seemed to sense her kindness and affection.

Elsie and Linda were one another’s best friends, communicating daily and Elsie travelled and lived vicariously with and through them, and Elsie became friends with many of their friends as well as the members of Ron’s family. Their shared adventures included FaceTime full moon tequila toasts with friend Denise — a monthly ritual that has now been joyfully adopted by friends near and far.

Elsie was blessed with a circle of special friends. Kajsa, Pat, Addie, and Denise — friends of Linda’s who “adopted” Elsie — brought her joy, companionship, and laughter, becoming like family. She also cherished her own special friends Peggy, Bern, Brad, Chris, Jane, and Robert among others, whose friendship brought her support, shared adventures, and treasured memories.

Above all, Elsie loved her family deeply. She and Carl shared 60 years of companionship, often still playing footsie under the table after over five decades of marriage, and expertly dancing the foxtrot with great joy.

Elsie also had a true love of travel and adventure. She and Carl traveled extensively, took several cruises and delighted in winter escapes to warm climates, always embracing new experiences with enthusiasm and curiosity. After Carl passed, Elsie cherished visits to Linda and Ron’s home in Cabo, driving the Baja both south and north with them, falling in love with the desert landscape, enjoying every adventure shared there, and making so many new and special friends.

In 2025, Elsie sold the family homestead to June and Pierre, special people who are lovingly restoring the property so the house and land will thrive for another 100 years. During the final years on the farm, her niece Shelley lived with her for almost two years, providing precious companionship and support. Having Shelley there allowed Elsie to remain on the farm and enjoy a wonderful quality of life until she was ready to move into Sunset Manor. Shelley’s sister and husband. April and Al, showed Elsie great love, friendship and support as well and she and the family were very grateful.

Elsie was predeceased by her husband, Carl (2010), daughter-in-law Debbie (2022), and grandson Kenneth (1992). She is survived by her son George, daughter Linda (and husband Ron), granddaughter Melana, grandson Austin, sisters Georgina, Ilene, Enid, and Sandra, much loved nieces Shelley and April (and husband, Al), and special great-niece Lindsey, along with many other nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends who cherished her warmth, generosity, and humour.

Elsie’s life was a testament to strength, generosity, laughter, and beauty. She attracted people like a magnet, and all who knew her felt seen, valued, and loved. Her spirit lives on in the rustling of her trees, the blooming of her gardens, the joy of her family, the laughter of her friends, and the enduring roots of the home she nurtured for generations.

A celebration of Elsie’s life will be held in the spring of 2026, with details to be shared at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006

• Date : 2025-11-21
• Location : (Innisfail) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com