Marie Mathers at the Prince Albert Legion. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Community Leader

P.A. veteran scaling back work at Legion after 30 years

Nov 15, 2023 | 1:09 PM

The Prince Albert Legion will soon have a big hole to fill.

That’s because member Marie Mathers will be scaling back nearly all the work she does for the organization.

The 89-year-old has been helping the Legion for around 30 years and in recent years has organized the local Remembrance Day ceremony, community bingo, and more.

Mathers told paNOW she started in 1991 after her husband passed away. She still remembers her first task — helping someone bring a wreath to a cemetery.

“The word got around and I was helping more and more (people),” she said.

Raising awareness

MADD Prince Albert launches 37th annual Project Red Ribbon

11h ago

Court proceedings

Crown stays sexual assault charge against Waskesiu business owner

16h ago

Elevate Your Self-Care Game With These Smart Lifestyle Moves

Nov 15, 2024

She was only doing odd jobs here and there as she was currently involved with the local scouts group.

Around 16 years later, Mathers was told she had an incurable form of blood cancer and that she was going to die.

“I was told I only had a week left and I turned around and looked and there was a doctor and a priest, and I said I wasn’t leaving this hospital in a box.”

She ended up recovering, the best she could, and was discharged from the hospital. That’s when she decided to step away from scouts and focus most of her time at the Legion. She did that over the next 16 years.

Moving forward, Mathers won’t be organizing the annual Remembrance Day ceremony and will stop hosting community bingo. One thing she still plans on doing is visiting spouses of veterans who have passed away.

“Sometimes it’s hard, especially when you find a spouse younger than yourself. Somebody has to be able to keep on visiting and praying,” Mathers said while getting emotional.

Despite not working behind the scenes anymore, Mathers will still be around the Legion from time to time taking part in different initiatives and activities.

­__

Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow