Mary Louise Matthews

Mary Louise Matthews died on November 4, 2022 at Parkview Retirement Center.   She was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on August 19, 1931, to Richard and Ruth Matthews.  She was the fourth child of the Matthews family.

While growing up, she attended a Presbyterian church in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  She participated in church activities with all members of her family. Mary Louise was close to all her family-she was truly a “family girl.” Due to her sweet disposition and quick wit she was well liked by all who knew her and maintained many close friendships throughout the years.

She attended Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.  Mary Louise received a Bachelor of Science degree in education and taught Spanish and English. In addition to teaching, she enjoyed conducting stage productions at the high school level in Asbury Park, New Jersey

Mary Louise was an avid photographer and accomplished golfer.  She loved traveling and regularly attended Hood College reunions. She spent many summers in Pennsylvania with her sister Dotty and delighted in watching her nephew Mark play a great game of golf.

After retiring she relocated to North Carolina from New Jersey. She resided at Carolina Trace in Sanford for more than thirty years.  During this time she was a faithful member of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church where she especially enjoyed singing in the choir. She was gifted with a highly developed musical “ear.” Members of the choir delighted in her entertaining gift of telling fairy tales “backward”.

Mary Louise leaves behind her dearly loved nieces Pamela Otto and Nanette Field and nephew Mark Lynn as well as devoted friends Charlotte Hohenstein of Sanford and Susan Zenke of Dalton, Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her sister Dorothy Lynn and brothers Arty Matthews and Richard Matthews. In addition, She is remembered with deep affection by the many friends she made during her Sanford retirement years.

A private committal service will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church at a later date.   Contributions in her honor may be made to the Choir Fund at St. Thomas’ 312 North Steele Street, Sanford, NC, or to a charity of one’s choice.