Main fundraiser photo

In loving memory of Andrew Matheson

SA Montessori is a family as well as a professional community, and it is with immense sadness that we share the news of the passing of a member of our family and community, Andrew Matheson.


Andrew was an employee of SA Montessori for many years, and he was also a part of the Langford family. He was the life partner of Jessica Langford (Jescott’s Director) for more than a decade, and embraced like a son by Barbara Langford (SA Montessori’s founder and CEO). Andrew left Adelaide in 2019 in order to reconnect with his biological family in Brisbane and pursue some specialist treatment for his health, but he remained a valued friend and family member for the Langfords.




If your child attended Jescott between 2010 and 2019 then you may be familiar with Andrew from his daily presence in our garden and frequent contributions to our classroom. Each morning he would prepare our outdoor environment to ensure it was a safe and beautiful play space for the children. As many of our children noticed, his informal “uniform” for that job consisted of t-shirt, cargo shorts, and a pair of brown thongs - even in the middle of winter! Some of his little friends worried about his poor toes, but Andrew never seemed to mind the cold. Perhaps because he had such a warm heart!




If your child attends Lilliput Village, Rosemont House or Little Oxford, then your little learner probably used furniture today that Andrew constructed. He was part of the set up for all three of those centres and spent countless hours with an Allan key in his hand ensuring that the tables, chairs, shelves and equipment were put together properly. The learning that happens in those classrooms is part of his legacy.




If you ordered any resources from Montessori Child from 2013 to 2019 then it was Andrew, taking a hands-on role as co-owner of the business, who packed and sent those treasures to your little one. We are so proud to think that his efforts have inspired hours of joy and exploration for thousands of children.




Andrew’s passing comes after a long and courageous journey trying to solve a complex equation of childhood trauma and mental health challenges. Andrew tried incredibly hard to fight his demons and disease, but ultimately it became a terminal condition. The fact that mental illness claimed his last breath does not mean that it defines his whole life. Andrew experienced and inspired incredible joy during his 36 years, and made positive contributions to his friends, family and community. In addition to his work with us, he was a modest but talented artist, an unpublished but prolific poet, an avid gamer, a natural chef, a loving dog-dad, and a devoted uncle to his beloved niece Emily.




Andrew never lost his sense of humour despite his hardships,

Never lost his kindness to others, especially children, even though he had endured cruelty in his own childhood,

Never lost his softness even when the world was a tough place for him,

Never lost his infectious grin, even when it flashed at you through tears.




Andrew never lost the values that made him a unique and sensitive man, and so he will never truly be lost from this world because he will rest eternally in our hearts.




If you wish to commemorate Andrew’s contribution to our Montessori community, we invite you to consider making a donation to Precious Angels. Andrew spent the last months of his life working as a disability support carer with that organisation, providing respite for children and teenagers. This work extended on the principles of respect and nurturing that he learned during his association with SA Montessori and Andrew was extremely proud to apply those values to his work with older children. Precious Angels have a registered charity and donations can be made to our GoFundMe page to honour Andrew’s legacy by helping enrich the lives of the young people he cared for.

Organizer

Jessica Langford
Organizer
Magill, SA
Precious Angels In-Home Care Ltd
Beneficiary

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about

  • Trusted

    Our Trust & Safety team works around the clock to keep our community safe