August and Maria Matjasec

August Matjasec (March 15, 1937 – October 26, 2026)

Maria Matjasec (September 19, 1935 – October 24, 2026)

August and Maria emigrated from Slovenia to Canada in 1957. They knew a cousin in Alberta and, upon arrival, secured employment as farm labourers in Taber, Alberta, where Bernadette, their first child, was born in 1957. They eventually moved to Pincher Creek, where their second child, Edita, was born in 1958. After following Maria's brother Tony to Vancouver, they bought their first home in Richmond, B.C., on Woodhead Road, where August was hired by Metalex, a lead recycling and processing company. August prided himself on hard work, and he succeeded in rising to foreman and had a long, successful career. During this time, their third child, Mark, was born in 1966, and Maria kept everything running at home, being a dedicated homemaker, as many of her generation were. As the children grew older, Maria worked part-time at a variety of jobs to help the family, and in 1989 they purchased the family hobby farm, which became the love of their lives. August retired in 1992, but was well respected by his former company, and he continued to work for them in many capacities. They loved life on the farm, where they raised animals and were avid gardeners. Family and friends loved the many gatherings in the beautiful backyard, surrounded by grapevines and fruit trees, where many a jar of preserves, canned fruit, and bottles of grape juice magically appeared. As August and Maria aged, Mark increasingly took over many of the duties around the large property, but they continued cultivating the family garden as long as they were able, and Maria cooked for the family using her famous recipes into her nineties.

As with all of us, time stops for no one, and August began to feel the effects of age. He was admitted to Richmond General Hospital, while Maria stayed at home with Mark, worrying about her husband of nearly seventy years. Days after he was admitted, she passed away peacefully in her sleep, likely worrying about him. Then, as if they wanted to be together, he passed away two days later.

A sincere thank you to all who attended to them during this time. They are survived by their three children, Bernadette (Gary), Edita (Ken), and Mark; grandchildren Maria, Shilo, and Justin; and great-grandchildren Tyler, Ashwin, and Elijah.

A service will be held at St. Monica's Catholic Church, 12011 Woodhead Rd. Richmond, B.C. on November 24th at 11:00 am, with a reception to follow in the Parish Center.