MARY MELBA MATTHEWS

(nee Billing, November 30, 1931 - November 17, 2025) Melba, just a few weeks shy of her 94th birthday, of Kingston, Ontario, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on November 17, 2025. Best friend, companion and wife for 55 years of the late Raymond Matthews (2022). Devoted mother to Mary Catherine and Sarah Jane (Jodan); and adoring Nana to Madeline, Elizabeth, Sloane and Larkin. Predeceased by her parents, Arthur Glover and Christina Marie Billing (Devine) of Essex, Ontario; and also predeceased by her siblings, Elverda (2013, the late Cliff), Robert (1997, the late Jean) and William (1944). Melba was an integral part of her extended family and will be sadly missed by her niece, Elaine Faye (Mike); nephew, Bill McMullen (Leslie), their children and families. Melba grew up on the family farm in Northridge, Essex, Ontario. She was athletic and artistic, a star on the basketball court at the local high school and an accomplished pianist and singer. She completed her ARTC in piano with the Royal Conservatory of Music and taught piano lessons for a large part of her life. She always amazed her family by being able to sit down and play by ear. As a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, she went on to a career of teaching at Clark Road HS in London and Leaside HS in Toronto, before marrying the love of her life, Ray, and focusing on family life with Mary and Sarah. Melba was a lifelong lover of art and music, and enjoyed volunteering as a docent at the Agnes Etherington Art Gallery as well as a long tenure with the Kingston Symphony Association. It was at the KSA that Melba met other enthusiastic music lovers, which parlayed into many years of organizing Chamber music soirees in Kingston. Melba was also an inaugural member of the Parsons & Poole Committee at Western University, giving back to the place which shaped her lifelong passion for music. Melba was known for always being well dressed, hair coiffed and never without her lipstick. She was quick to help any family or friends who were in need, usually with the delivery of comforting food. She enjoyed a rich family life, curling, travel and bridge. She was an adored and caring mother, wife, Aunt Melba and Nana. She will be remembered as a good and faithful friend, and will be missed by those that she gathered easily wherever she was. A celebration of Melba's life will be held at a later date, and a private interment with immediate family will take place to reunite her with Ray. The family would like to thank the staff at Kingston General Hospital, in particular the nurses on Davies 4, for their compassionate care of Melba. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Charity of Your Choice, or to the Dr. Ray & Melba Matthews Fund at the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area.