Montine Matthews

Montine G Matthews (Monty) Montine G Matthews, 97, a long time resident of Wenatchee died Saturday afternoon September 30th, 2023 at Tuscany Cottage in Malaga. Monty was born August 16, 1926 in Violet Hill Arkansas; the second daughter to Orgil and Clara Gilliland. She grew up on a farm with her parents and her sisters Geneva and Bettye. The family moved to Washington, and settled in Palisades where she attended school. In her final few months of life, she reunited with her Palisades school friend Loraine (Goldie)Mathison at Tuscany Cottage and they enjoyed some sweet memories of their days in Palisades. The family returned to Violet Hill Arkansas in where Sister Diane and Brother Wade were born and she graduated from Violet Hill High School. Then moved to Calico Rock in 1944. In 1952, the Gilliland family returned to Wenatchee and Montine worked at Montgomery Wards and Whitman Fuel Company. She met a Sailor from Calico Rock Arkansas in Wenatchee when Andy Matthews came to visit his cousin Billy Joe Matthews, who had married Monty's sister Geneva. On June 25, 1958, she married that Navy Sailor who had stolen her heart and made her laugh at the Chapel of The Wenatchee First United Methodist Church. After marrying they were stationed in San Diego CA and Russellville AR. They retired from Navy life in 1964 and quickly moved back to Washington State to be near Monty's family. By this time, Montine had two daughters Stephanie and Teena; who were the light of their lives. They spent their years in Wenatchee, raising their family and teaching everyone around them how to have fun and live life to its fullest. Their home became a center of activity as the close-knit neighborhood raised many children who congregated to put on neighborhood parades, carnivals, and campouts. They became 4H leaders, teaching their children and anyone who wanted to learn animal husbandry. Some examples included hatching pheasants in a homemade incubator and raising them for the wildlife district, learning to bottle feed and care for baby lambs and rabbits as 4H projects, and helping children find and train pets they could keep at home. Though they lived in the city, they arranged for property outside the city limits to keep their horses, cattle, and the critters that neighborhood children raised for the fair. They loved camping and fishing and would always welcome the extra kids on their adventures. It was amazing how many kids they could bed in the 16-foot Shasta Trailer. Eventually, Monty and Andy bought property near the Appleatchee Riding Center and planted peach trees, a large garden that they loved to care for, and built a barn so they could be closer to care for the horses, sheep, rabbits, and other pets. They lived there until Dad retired from the US Post Office and moved back into town. Monty was always supportive of Andy's activities in Masonic Lodge and together they became members of Eastern Star and Adult Leaders in Job's Daughters. She adapted to him calling from meetings and events announcing that he was bringing a few friends home for dinner and could she "prepare something quick". Nothing like 10 couples dropping by in a few hours for dinner or 56 Teenage Girls having a slumber party in your home. But she loved every minute of it. She and Andy were also members of the First United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School. Mom was lost after her beloved Andy passed away in 1996. But she continued a wonderful life with her daughters living nearby. She loved to shop, cook, and decorate. And she loved any celebration that she could set off fireworks. Teena and her husband Brad bought her "big House" in 2004. They made arrangements for Mom to continue to live with them in the wonderful home she had had with Andy and help raise her Granddaughter Andee Hauck. Andee was spoiled and treasured by her "Gammy" from the day she arrived and Mom was proud of every event Andee participated in. She was so lucky to have so much time with her only Grandchild. In 2022, because of the effects of dementia, Mom moved to Tuscany Cottage in Malaga where she was loved and cared for by the best of the best in caregiving. We can never thank Misty, Melonye Veronica, Tye, Monica, Maria, and Tessa enough for the love and compassion they gave our Mom, allowing us to become daughters again, rather than caregivers. They are amazing. Survivors include daughters Stephanie A. Matthews (Mark), Teena Hauck (Brad), Granddaughter Andee Hauck, Sister Diane Capdeville (Gilliland), Sister in Law Marge Gilliland, Nieces Loraine Orach, Polly (Jerry) Firor, Debbie (Rich) Bonham, Nephews Greg (Jennifer) Gilliland, Ron (Linda) Sower. And More Nieces and Nephews, Great Nieces and Nephews and Almost Nieces and Nephews, friends and extended family than we can count. She was preceded in Death by Her parents, Orgil Gilliland and Clara Gilliland Kunkel, stepfather Ernie Kunkel, Sisters Geneva Matthews and Betty Mullen, and brother Wade Gilliland. Nieces Irene Smith, Melonye Shurtz, Dana Gilliland, Nephews SteveSower, Nephew Bob Orach, Sister In Law, Patsy Gilliland, Brother in laws Martin Capdeville and Jack Mullen and Great Niece Chelsea Firor. Memorials can be made to the Wenatchee First United Methodist Church. Mom Loved a celebration of any kind. Please Celebrate her life with us on Thursday, October 5th at the First United Methodist Church in Wenatchee or when you see a Sparkler.

Montine Matthews

August 16, 1926 - September 30, 2023