Colleen Eleanor (Nilsson) McKay-Matthews

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Colleen Eleanor (Nilsson) McKay-Matthews on July 30, 2025, at home, surrounded in love by her six children and numerous other family members.  She was born in Saint John, NB, on July 11, 1937, to the late Carl and Pearl (Rowe) Nilsson and was the loving wife to her late husbands, Joseph McKay and later in life to Larry Matthews. 

She is survived by her sons, Joseph (Carrie) and Anthony (Leighann); her daughters, Debra Fletcher, Catherine (Mark) Smith, Barbara (James) McKay and Susan (Greg) McKay; 16 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren; brothers, Robert (Linda), Everett (Margo) and Gary (Janice); her sister, Shirley; as well as so many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

In addition to her parents and husbands, she was predeceased by brother, Carl, and her son-in-law, Wally.

Colleen was an amazing person and who cared deeply for her family and friends. She never had a favorite, all of her children, grandchildren and great children were her favorites. She always looked forward to spending time with her family and friends when they came to visit her and when she travelled to visit them.

There are too many words to fully describe Colleen, but a few would certainly include Mother, Family, Friend, Love, Kind and Outgoing. She was as gentle as a lamb, and her warmth and love will live on forever in the hearts of her family and friends.

Colleen dearly loved her baseball and hockey, always rooting on her favorite teams; the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple Leafs.  When Colleen was young, she could be found cliff diving in the summer and skating at Lily Lake in the winter which she loved to do.

Colleen loved life and lived it to the fullest, she enjoyed travelling, cooking for her family, driving the back roads and keeping busy.  

She worked many jobs over the years, including her time at St Joseph’s hospital where she was the Pastry Chef and Baker, working alongside her husband Joe of forty three years who was the  Chef at St Joseph’s.

Arrangements are entrusted to Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road (506-646-2424) where visitation will take place on Friday from 6-8pm.  A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 3pm from the Fundy Funeral Home Chapel with interment to be held at a later date in Fernhill Cemetery.    For those who wish, memorial donations in Colleen’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by her family.