June 1, 1925 - January 19, 2022
We say goodbye in this life to Kye7e Ida Matthew, mother, grandmother, and elder.
Ida Matthew was born on or about June 1, 1925, and passed away on January 19, 2022 at 96 years of age. She was born at Chu Chua, BC and lived most of her early life in the main village in her parents log house.
Ida Matthew, known in Simpcw as Kye7e, is predeceased by husband, Louie Matthew, and survived by her children, Rita Matthew, Nathan (Marie) Matthew, Robert (Kathy) Matthew, Brian (Judy) Matthew, Pat (Therese) Matthew and Annette Matthew, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Kye7e Ida grew up in Chu Chua, and was one of 15 children. Her mother was Christine (Fortier) Eustache and father was Manuel Eustache. Christine's parents were Edgar Fortier, Sr and Helen Griffen (of Kamloops Indian Band). Manuel's father was Justin Phillip Eustache (Sukwelst) and his mother was Celina John.
Kye7e Ida's brothers and sisters were: Henry Celesta, Angelique Celesta (Joseph), Louie Celester, Ernest Celesta, John Celesta, Fred Eustache, Jimmie Eustache, Hyacinth Eustache, Sarah Armstrong, Rena Eustache, Irene Eustache, Elizabeth Johnston, and Harold Eustache.
Kye7e Ida attended Kamloops Indian Residential School for 8 years, where she met and remained friends with many fellow students from all over BC. She married Louie Matthew for 50 years until his death in 1998. Together they raised six children. They lived between Louis Creek and Chinook Cove mainly. In 1958, the family adventurously, lived in Vavenby and Blue River for two years.
Kye7e Ida, a fluent Secwepemc speaker worked in the Neqweyqwelsten School as Language teacher. She was a great teacher of culture and community history, and shared her immense knowledge in many forums in the valley and the Secwepemc nation. Ida and Louie valued education and passed that on to their children, all of whom graduated and carried on to achieve various professions.
They, as well were wonderful grandparents and devoted much time to caring for and sharing language and cultural knowledge with the children, family and community.
Ida was a gifted communicator, possessing an outgoing personality. She was renowned for her sense of humor, kindness, love of family, especially nieces and nephews, artisan of crafts, awesome storyteller, and she could shoot and skin a deer with the best of them.
At age 84, she retired and moved to Kamloops, due to health and enjoyed the remaining years of her life. She loved and was beloved member of her large family and community.
The family would like to thank the family, friends, Band council, community, health staff, and all who have been here for Kye7e.
Also, we thank all of the family, community and friends whom she loved and was loved in return.