Ottilie Rose Matchett (Huycke), died peacefully at the age of 93 on Wednesday, October 25th, in her Thornbury, Ontario condo.
She now joins her beloved late husband, J. Boyd Matchett, in the afterlife, along with her parents, George Meredith Huycke QC and Ottilie Wells Huycke (Avery); as well as her predeceased brothers, Fred, Ed, and Graeme (twin). Her sister Susan and sisters-in-law, Kit, Margaret, and Katherine, share in our grief. Rose leaves behind her children John, Robin, and Rosalie (Richard); and her cherished grandchildren, Jonathan (Lara), Leo (Emilie), Jesse (Marta), Katya, Robin Jr (Raven), Anarie (Jon), Victor (Irene), and Ottilie (Nellie), who mourn her loss. Her great-grandchildren Ella, Kasper, Jasper, Cedric, Elodie, and Lamaro will also miss her, along with numerous cousins and dear friends.
We come together to celebrate her rich and abundant life. Rose lived her life with unwavering determination and a unique single-mindedness that left a lasting impression on all who knew her. Her generosity was steadfast, and though she didn't mince her words, her outspokenness was always taken with a grain of salt. In her own way, she was a woman of letters, always writing to her friends and family in her distinctive scrawl, a touch of nostalgia that we will dearly miss. She immersed herself in various interests, from supporting the Bruce Trail Conservancy to the World Wildlife Foundation, and many more.
In her younger days, she engaged in international affairs group discussions, bred Miniature Schnauzers, mastered embroidery, and remained an avid stamp collector. Friends and family will fondly remember her request to save the stamps on the envelopes of her letters and send them back to her. In her early years, Rose exhibited athletic prowess in field hockey, played tennis as a member of the Badminton Racquet Club and as a skier at the Osler Bluff Ski Club. It was during a sleigh ride on the original ski lift at Osler Bluff where she met her future husband, Boyd Matchett.
Although she spent most of her life in Toronto, she thrived for nearly a decade in Paris, France, where she raised her young family in the 1950s. Later, after Boyd's retirement, they lived semi-permanently in Fontarèches dans Le Midi, where they restored their cherished petit chateau. These years brought her immense joy as she hosted social gatherings, welcoming family, and friends, and took pride in showcasing their achievements. She was a force of nature and, in her own way, lived a life that might be likened to an heiress. Winters were spent in Tucson, Arizona, and summers were reserved for the family cottage on Lake Temagami.
Even this past summer, with her usual loving irreverence, she entertained family and friends, even maintaining a pet cemetery with inscribed stone plaques. An extraordinary individual, she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Rest in peace, dear Mom, and Granny. Celebration of life to be held at Osler Bluff Ski Club 2 P.M. Saturday, December 2nd. Friends may visit Rose's online Book of Memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com