Doreen Frances Matthew
July 27, 1927 - March 3, 2011
Obituary
Doreen Frances Matthew
July 27, 1927 – March 3, 2011
Doreen was born with identical twin Doris Jane on July 27, 1927 in Osceola, Wisconsin. She grew up on a farm during the great depression with a family of 10 children. Her family moved to Spring Valley, where Doreen and Doris spent their high school years during World War II. After graduation in 1945, she and Doris moved to St. Paul before settling down in Seattle in 1951. She worked for the Alaska Steamship Co. in the early 50’s. She met Charles Matthew and they married in 1953. Doreen and Charles enjoyed life in Normandy Park where they lived all their married life. Charles passed away in 1995.
Doreen enjoyed many things, such as their vacation home near Leavenworth, exploring the state of Washington, going to the ocean, spending time with Doris and her family, gardening, cooking, sewing, reading, and British TV. She dearly loved being a mother, and dedicated her later life to raising her family.
Doreen leaves behind son James and spouse Cindy, daughter Laura, daughter Carrie and spouse Tom Pratt, granddaughters Melissa, Jasmine, Cameo, Mary Ellen, and Lindsey, great granddaughters Chloe and Jadyn, brothers Warren and Lee, sister Sharon, and many nieces and nephews.
Doreen was such a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and the love she gave to us all is reciprocated by her entire family. We are all very lucky to have had such a special person in our lives for so many years.
Doreen was my aunt; her and my mom were twins and we spent many holidays, trips and summer time fun with her and her family. She was like a 2nd mom to our family. My condolences to the Matthew family. We have all lost one class act.
Doreen was my sister and I will miss the long phone calls with her when she would keep me informed about the family members in Seattle. Living halfway across the country, we didn’t see each other often, but it was nice that she was only a phone call away. I will miss her a lot.
I Loved my grandma I knew that she loved me no matter what the consequences were. She was there for me when I was born and struggling through cancer as a baby, she was there when I was a terrible teenager, she was there when I grew up to be a mother full of wisdom from her own works. I couldnt of lived my life without her. She was my mother my grandmother she was the one that kept me going through tough times with great determination. I will always use that wisdom that she gave me because it made me who I am today. I love you grandma and I miss you.
mom,
i learned so much from you, i am only realizing and seeing now what you taught and will continue to teach me.
how to be patient during trails as the storm will always pass and the sun will come out again.
what the importance of loving and forgiving uncondionally really means and how by living with this acceptence within ourselves and others completely will impact our quality of life.
i miss you. i miss your voice, your comfort and caring words. i miss your reprimands as you dutifully tried to educate your rebellious daughter in your gems of wisdom. i miss your sigh as you acknowledged with acceptence who i was and i miss your hugs telling me “everything will be allright doll”
mom. thank you for being who you were. your love was blunt with the starkness of truth that opened my eyes to see the world and my life was what i made of it. and that i had to look up to God to find peace here.
mom, i miss you so
laura jeanne