Dr. Mattie McCullough

Red Deer

Description

Life and Work

Married to education administrator, Ronald V. (Mac) McCullough, Mattie moved to Red Deer in 1947, where they raised three children, Ron, Bob and Donna. Although busy with her young family, Mattie returned to school to finish her high school diploma.

Mattie was an active community volunteer at the local, provincial and national level. In 1967 she received the Centennial Medal and in 1976, Mattie was awarded the Government of Alberta Achievement Service Award. Mattie worked in Home and School Association activities and helped establish libraries. She served on the Senate and Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Red Deer College Board.

Born in 1909 at a farm near Fort McLeod, Mattie's lifelong love affair with education began early. She advanced quickly through school and at age 17 graduated from Normal School. She then taught for 2 1/2 years in a rural school.

"Distinguished service to education through leadership as a citizen" read her citation on the Alberta Teachers Association School Administrator's Award. In 1981, Mattie was made an honourary member of Delta Kappa Gamma International, Zeta Chapter. She also received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta in 1983.

True to her farm roots, Mattie helped her husband operate a dairy farm and later, raise pure-bred Aberdeen Angus Cattle. In 1979, she was made honourary president of the Canadian Aberdeen Angus Association.