November 30th, 1977 – May 21st, 2024
Delene was born on November 30th, 1977, the first-born child to Joe Matula and Susie (Friesen) Matula. Childhood was a happy time for Delene, and eventually, she became a big sister to Lerel, Arlan, and Calen. Tragedy struck when Susie was diagnosed with cancer in 1988, and Delene and her siblings went to live with Grandma Friesen and some of their aunts in the Mennville community. Susie died on July 31st, 1989.
Joe remarried that fall to Norma (Giesbrecht) Caruso. Delene gained two new siblings: Shawn and Leanne. Eventually, the family moved to the new house on Gunn Rd. In 1994, Delene became a big sister to Cherese, and the family was complete.
Sadly, Norma died on December 24th, 2003. Delene, found herself the lady of the home, and availed herself in helping Joe with domestic duties, as well as the bookkeeping for Joe’s welding business, as was needed in that time.
In the fall of 2010, Joe remarried to Cathie Morgan, which brought some needed structure back into the family.
Growing up, Delene attended Garden Grove, Mennville, and Arthur Day schools, and Murdock McKay Collegiate, graduating in 1995. She then attended the University of Manitoba, where she went on to earn her BSc in Mathematics. She worked tirelessly at Ceridian for many years, and then had numerous part-time jobs.
Family life was important to Delene, and she and her parents and siblings worked hard in the vegetable garden and with the fruit trees. They canned many jars of vegetables and fruits. They took several trips in the converted school bus motorhome. They also had a trip via airplane to Florida. In later years, Delene spent a lot of time caring for her sister Leanne and taking her to appointments and helping her at home. She also was a doting aunt to her nieces and two nephews.
Delene’s faith in God was also very important to her, and she believed Him to have held her through each of the various trials she’d gone through. In her time at University she involved herself in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and was introduced to Project Venture. This group connected deeper biblical understanding with practical application and had a significant impact on her for the rest of her life. Over the years, she attended and was active in Abundant Life and Faith Community Churches, and Kehilat Haverim Mashiach Messianic Fellowship. She found meaning and joy in observing and celebrating the Old Testament holy days of the Messianic Faith.
In January, 2023, Delene was diagnosed with cancer. The various treatments were not successful in stopping its progress, and Delene passed peacefully at Riverview Health Centre on May 21st, 2024.
Delene is survived by her Dad, Joe Matula, her stepmom Cathie Morgan Matula, her brother Shawn Matula (Crystal, Robyn, Katie), her sister Leanne Matula (Darrell Dowhy), brother Lerel Matula (Rita, Bethea, Samuel, Cianna), brother Arlan Matula (Abigail, Talia, Logan, Aria), brother Calen Matula, and sister Cherese (Eduard Janzen, Linaeya, Abby, Heidi, Alina), and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins in the Matula, Friesen, Giesbrecht, and Morgan families, in Canada and around the world.
Funeral will be held on Monday, May 27th, at Niverville Community Fellowship, 85 2nd Street South, Niverville, MB with viewing at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m., followed by luncheon. Burial will be at Transcona Cemetery, Dugald Rd. at the Perimeter Hwy. following the luncheon. Delene’s uncle, Dwight Plett, officiating.
Many thanks to the doctors and nurses at CancerCare, Concordia Hospital, and Riverview Health Centre, and to the family and friends who helped Delene during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
-Jorden Peterson’s ACTS ministry
-E3 Prison Ministry
-CancerCare
-MulliChildren’s family – Kenya
-UGM
-SFLA Abortion ministry
5 thoughts on “Delene Dawn Matula”
I have fond memories of Delene. She was part of the Bible study. I was involved in from our church at one point. She was a very thoughtful, more quiet, gentle woman. I remember one summer, she had to make a delivery to my house of meat for our mission, which was stored at the Matula freezer. This little tiny woman was so kind and lovely to me.! She insisted on carrying the meat right down to my freezer, as she knew mobility was a problem for me at that time. . I appreciated her kind, considerate, polite, and gentle ways. Although I did not know her well, the times I spent with her, we’re always calming cheerful and friendly
Wishing all the family, friends, time to heal, give thanks for Delene’s life,, and take time to Remember and celebrate the joyful times you had together.
Bless you all for the way you’ve stood by Delene during this difficult time. She needed you! Delene has left her mark in this life. We’ll done!!
Delene literally didn’t have a mean bone in her body, and was so meek and mild and pure. She was selfless and kind and helpful. She was thoughtful and listened intently, and was slow to speak. She was very intentional with her words, and kindness was always on her tongue.
She was an incredible encourager and a faithful prayer warrior.
She loved her family with a sacrificial love.
She understood love and modeled it in every interaction. Rereading 1 Cor 13:4-7, Delene is love.
The most sincere person I have ever known.
I look forward to meeting her in paradise.
Her friend
Kipp
Dearest Delene…. what a gentle kind loving
Selfless soul she was!!!
She was so peaceful always caring for others
Way more then herself.
I was so prevelegrd to have a very close
Beautiful relationship w lovely Delene esp the last few years! We sang prayed we encouraged each other
By phone by text by Skype.
I miss her sooooo much!
Loved sweet Delene……Lots and lots of LOVE Your. Auntie./Auntie Kathy
P.s. She referred to me often as her Auntie /auntie
She was my neice/neice Delene Dawn♥️♥️♥️♥️