Version 6.01

02 January 2023

David March © 2014

VERA "JEAN" MATHER

Vera "Jean" Mather was born on 7 January 1903 in Stanley RM, Manitoba to Charles Lily Mather (1861-1939) and Margaret Hamilton Shaw (1869-1946). Her siblings were: James "Hartley" (b 1898), Marguerite (b 1899), Cecil Earle (b 1906) and Russell (b 1909). In 1906 the Mather family was living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. According to the obituary of Jean's father, the family moved to Asquith, Saskatchewan in 1906. They were enumerated in two places in 1921, Loganton RM (contains the town of Asquith) and 215 11th St in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It would appear that the family spent time in both places because Charles L and Hartley were listed as farmers at the same Saskatoon address in the 1918 Saskatoon Henderson Directory. Jean gave her occupation as stenographer in both 1921 census records. In 1935 she was living with Alexander and Marguerite (her sister) Wilson. She was single and a cashier.

Jean married Clarence Frederick Forrester probab ly in 1936 in Saskatoon. Clarence was born on 10 December 1903 in Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada to James William Forrester (1875-1943) and Eva Elizabeth Smith (1876-1955). Clarence had two siblings, Harold Aubrey (1909-1932) and Helen (1913-2001). At the time of their marriage, Clarence was working in his father’s gents furnishing store in Saskatoon. In the 1950s and 1960s, Frederick was a civil servant and they lived in Calgary, Alberta.

Frederick died on 6 December 1964 and Jean on 27 June 1993, both in Victoria, British Columbia.

The quilt clearly has Jean Mathers as the signature and the family discussed above spells their name Mather in every official document and on every tombstone. It is possible that the correct signer has not been identified. If we have found the correct Jean, she likely told some one to write her name on the quilt for her and they spelled it wrong. We could find no other candidate for this signature.

This family tree can be found on Ancestry under the title 3rd Ave Mather 2 Tree.

As an aside, Clarence’s, maternal grandfather Henry (Harry) Elliot Smith (1845-1922) may also have signed the quilt. He is one of the candidates for the HE Smith signature.