Jean Matson, age 92, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Friday, August 19th at her home in Bethany, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Ada Jean Nelson on October 30, 1923 to Leo and Anna (Erickson) Nelson in Bayfield, Wisconsin. She was an artist always, earning awards for her art in her youth. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin. She was married for 66 years to her husband John until his death in 2012. From 1959 into her 80’s she designed homes, churches, civic and commercial buildings along with her husband, as the Matson Design Service. Together they began the Valley Chapel, which led many young people to Christ. She was a faithful member for many years of the Seymour United Methodist Church, singing in the choir, baking cookies endlessly, and loving everyone. She wrote sweet poetry. She was a musician all her life, playing various instruments. She sang in the Valley Ecumenical Choir for decades. She is cherished for her gentleness and kindness, her cheerful sense of humor, her faith in God, her unending generosity and boundless energy for doing good. She supported the dreams of others, saw the best in everyone, and gave sacrificially of herself always. “Her children rise up and call her blessed.” Jean leaves her children Mary Beth (James) Benson, Priscilla (David) Benner, Ray (Barbara) Matson, Joel Matson, Naomi (Jeffrey) Murdoch, Ruth Cole, and Julia (Kent) Christensen. She also leaves her grandchildren James, Elizabeth, Michelle, Maureen, John Mark, Ethan, Jason, Anna, Christie, Emily, Bethany, Cynthia, Joseph, John, Steven, Daniel, Jeremy, Amber, Julia and Benjamin. She was predeceased by her grandson Thomas. She leaves 17 great-grandchildren, being predeceased by her great-granddaughter Nora. In addition, Jean leaves her sisters Harriet Held, and Clarice (Tossy) Bright. She was predeceased by her brother Homer Nelson and her sisters Marie Bushy and Eunice Petrie. She leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews and many cherished friends. Visitation will be Friday, August 26 from 4:30 to 8:30 PM at Ralph Hull Funeral Home, 161 West Church St, Seymour. The funeral will be held DIRECTLY at 9:30 AM on Saturday, August 27 at Seymour United Methodist Church, 90 Pearl Street, Seymour. Interment will follow at 1 pm DIRECTLY at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport. Memorial Contributions may be made to the MAMA Project, 2781A Geryville Pike, Pennsburg, PA 18073.

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