Kathleen Matheson was born south of
Provost, Alberta, on the farm that had been her American grandfather's homestead
of 1908. The eldest of seven children, she graduated from high school with
a senior matriculation, attended the Camrose Normal School and earned a First
Class Alberta teaching certificate. For four years she taught in rural
Alberta schools, teaching grades I to IX inclusive. In 1940, she married George
Matheson and the couple moved to Lloydminster in 1941.
While raising their family of a
daughter and a son, Kathleen remained active in community affairs. Her
main interests in life, which include church children, education, music, the
arts in general, writing, history, and women's issues, are evident in her
community and civic involvement over the years.
In the 1940's and 1950's, Kathleen
held office in the Catholic Women's League, the Home and School Association, and
the Kinette Club. In 1959 she was elected to the first Catholic School
Board and served for eleven years, four as chairperson. She became the first
Lloydminster woman to hold public office. Kathleen
served on the Overture Concerts Committee in the 1950's and 1960's and later
served as president of the Allied Arts Council, promoting the arts, especially
fine entertainment. In 1988 she received a special volunteer award from
the Saskatchewan government for her service in promoting culture.
In 1971 she entered civic life,
being elected a city alderman, a post she held for nine years. While on
City Council, Kathleen served on such committees as: Dr. Cooke Care Centre,
Recreation Board, College Committee, Communiplex, and Allied Arts Council.
Special committees she served on included: Canada Day celebrations, chair
for the convention of Saskatchewan Recreational Department hosted by
Lloydminster in 1974, and committee member for the Queen's visit in 1978.
In 1978 Kathleen was appointed a
Governor to the first Lakeland Board of Governors. She served this post
for three years. In the 1979 mayoralty race, Kathleen became the first
Lloydminster woman to serve as mayor. During the following three years in
office, some of the major items on her agenda were: the water and sewer project;
the 75th anniversary celebration
of Alberta and Saskatchewan as provinces in 1980; the Alberta Winter Games in
1982; the continued promotion for an oil upgrader. College issues, and traffic
issues.
Highlights of her career in public
office were: shaking Queen Elizabeth II's hand in 1978, hosting the 75th
Anniversary Alberta/Saskatchewan celebrations in 1980, and escorting the
Governor General of Canada around the Communiplex grounds, meeting Premiers,
sifting beside Wayne Gretzky at a sportsmen's dinner, and hosting the Alberta
Winter Games.
Although she retired from civic
office in 1982, Kathleen continued to serve as a volunteer to such agendas as
United Way, Saskatchewan Division of the Arthritis Board, St. John's
Ambulance. At present she is on the Advisory Board to Lakeland College.
Kathleen's great interest in writing
is being fulfilled in a book she is presently writing. Kathleen and George
have eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren all adding zest to their
lives. They feel greatly blessed with the good life of Lloydminster.