Matilda Anela Samuel (née Volny)

On Tuesday 24 March 2026, Matilda Samuel passed away peacefully surrounded by her three children. She was 94. 

She was the devoted wife of George Henry Samuel (died 2019), loving mother to Hilary Samuel, Delwen Samuel and Douglas Samuel, affectionate mother-in-law to Rhéal Delaquis (husband of Hilary) and Mark Nesbitt (husband of Delwen), beloved grandmother of Sylvia Nesbitt and Melissa Nesbitt. She will be deeply missed.

Matilda was born in Lorette, Manitoba to Frank and Klementyna Volny and grew up in Hamilton. After marrying in 1959, the family moved to Wales for two years before returning to Burlington. In 1973 the family moved to Montreal. After George retired, he and Matilda trained to become English as a Second Language teachers. In 1995 they set off for South Korea to teach, the beginning of seven years of teaching and travelling in countries such as Vietnam, Japan, China, Poland and Nicaragua. They were intrepid and adventurous travellers. They settled in Ottawa in 2001. There they joined the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa where they were active members.

A life-long advocate for social and environmental justice, Matilda was a driving force in the Save the Lakeshore campaign to protect the Burlington waterfront in the 1960s. Throughout her life she continued to contribute to causes dear to her through letter writing campaigns. She loved nature and the outdoors and relished birding, cross-country skiing and back country canoe camping into her 90s. She was a loyal and kind friend, cherished by all who knew her.

The family are deeply grateful for the skilled and tactful care of the exceptional staff at the Acute Care for the Elderly unit at Queensway Carleton Hospital, and all who were involved in her care before her final illness.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial reception at the Tubman Funeral Home, Garden Chapel (3440 Richmond Road, Ottawa, Ontario) on Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Donations if desired may be sent to Council of Canadians in her name.https://canadians.org/donate-now/

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