Sarah Jean Matheson was born on 28th September 1937 in Surrey to Scottish parents. Her father was in the Scots Guards and was killed in action in 1940.
In 1942 her mother remarried and they went back to Scotland, where her childhood was spent in Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders.
On growing up she went to London and worked in advertising and then for the Civic Trust. She much enjoyed travelling and had a job in Italy for a while. In the early 1960's she became the School Secretary of the Interior Design Department of the Royal College of Art which was led at the time by Sir Hugh Casson. Her working life was spent in management and she was very good at it. She also loved working with the young and students particularly those in the world of art and design.
After spending several years at the Royal College of Art she joined the Architectural Association for which she worked in various capacities including as Registrar and, ultimately, as Deputy Chairman. Despite her devotion to her main jobs, Sarah also managed to work in the voluntary sector as a prison visitor and as Chairman of St. Mungo's, the charity for the homeless. Sarah also travelled extensively, both as tour guide and on holiday with friends. She frequently walked in out of the way and exotic places. In 1985 she took over her mother's house in Italy and spent as much time as she could exploring Italy and Italian life.
Still having time for her wide circle of friends, she acted often as a surrogate mother to her nephews and nieces all of whom enjoyed her relaxed style and wonderful sense of fun.
Sarah died on the 17th September 1999, six years after being diagnosed with MSA.
When Sarah was diagnosed with MSA in 1993; she was dismayed at the lack of readily available information on MSA for both those diagnosed with the condition, and the health and social care professionals. Sarah felt this lack of information led to isolation for people living with MSA due to the general ignorance about the condition.
With typical energy, and the encouragement of her specialist, Sarah conceived the idea of a Support Group that would both support those with the condition and those involved in their care. Having rallied friends and family to become involved in creating this Support Group, and a period of fundraising from individuals or private charitable trusts, the Sarah Matheson became a registered charity in 1997. Sarah followed the progress of the Sarah Matheson Trust with great interest and faced her illness with unfailing courage and good humour. The work of the SMT continues in her memory.
The Sarah Matheson Trust is the only UK support charity for people with MSA.