Genevieve Mary Matthews' Obituary
Obituary of Genevieve Mary Matthews
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held, 11am, Friday, January 13th at St. Frederic Catholic Church in St. Helens, Oregon. "Gen" passed away, January 8th at her son's home in Chehalis, Washington; she was 92 years of age.
Gen was born January 28, 1919 in Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin to Frank Engelbert and Clara Katherine Bachman Wicke, the youngest of three daughters. Attended Catholic grade school and graduated high school in Ft. Atkinson's Gen when on to Holy Rosary Catholic College in the Chicago area for two years. In 1939 she moved to Portland, Oregon to live with her sister Catherine, attended college for art and fashion illustrations. On October 18, 1941 she married Albert Leonard "Leo" Matthews. Leo preceded her in death in 1993. From this union they have three children. Gen worked for the Oregon State Employment Division as a Benefit Assistant from 1959 until she retired when she was 62 years old in 1981. Gen moved from Portland to Beaverton in 1958 and lived there until 1980 when she moved to Columbia City where she lived until 2005 when she moved to Longview until 2011. She was a member of St. Frederic Catholic Church from 1980 until she moved in 2005. Gen is also past president of the Beaverton VFW Auxiliary Post, 4617 as well as a member of the St. Helens VFW Auxiliary Post # 1440. Gen loved to knit and sew, was active in with bowling leagues, and was a past Treasurer of the Columbia City Garden Club. She also served at the St. Helens Senior Center and worked through RSVP. In 1994 she was crowned Princess in the Columbia County "My Fair Lady" Court. After retirement she and Leo traveled, they especially loved ocean cruises including an Alaska cruise.
Gen is survived by her children and spouses; Howard Sunny Matthews of Chehalis, Clara Matthews of Seattle and Douglas Lisa Matthews of Portland, grandson Spencer Matthews of Portland. Preceded in death by her sisters; Catherine Wegner and Frances Steimont.
Committal and vault interment will be held at Bayview Cemetery.
On line condolences can be made to the family at; www.columbiafh.com
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