Shirley Mattson, 88, of Fremont died at home on October 1, 2015. She was born February 2, 1927 to George and Esther (Hill) Murray in Iron River, Michigan. After graduating as salutatorian of her class in Iron River, she attended nursing school at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago and graduated as an RN. She married Frank Mattson, also of Iron River, in 1949. They had five children. In 1964 the family moved from the Upper Peninsula to Fremont and had a house built on Swiss Road. Shirley lived in that house until last year when she moved to assisted living.
Following her husband’s death in 1972, she returned to work in nursing. She was Director of Nursing at Countryside and then Head of Nursing at St. Francis Rehabilitation Hospital. She retired in 1990. In her retirement years she volunteered for Memorial Hospice, Red Cross, and the Atkinson School Reading program. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church. She used her nursing skills to help her friends and family as they coped with health and aging problems. She enjoyed playing cards, reading, and traveling with her gentleman companion of many years, Bud Burkett. They spent several weeks every summer at her cottage on Golden Lake near Iron River.
She is survived by daughters, Jane Hart (Tom) of Atlanta and their four children; Shelley Gahn (Bruce), of Cincinnati and their two children; son, Peter (Karen) of Austin, MN and their son; her daughter-in-law, Rosanne Mattson of San Francisco and her three children. She has six great grandchildren. She may have mentioned to you that all of her grandchildren have college degrees, three are doctors, and one is finishing her PhD. She liked to brag about that a little.
She was preceded in death by her husband Frank in 1972; daughter Mary in 1981; son Frank (Jake) in 2009; sister, Ethelyn Griffin in 2007; and son-in-law Bruce Gahn and companion Bud Burkett in 2012.
As she coped with the losses of friends and family and the difficulties of aging, she showed all of us how to live positively and age gracefully.
Visitation: Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory, 425 E State St., Fremont, OH
Memorial Service: Monday, October 5, 2015; 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with an hour of visitation prior to the service. Rev. William McConnell will officiate.
Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery on Monday at 2:30 p.m.
She asked that in lieu of flowers, any memorials go to Hospice of ProMedica Memorial Hospital or Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals.
View Shirley’s Video Tribute
Offer Condolences for the family of Shirley Mattson
Print Obituary & Condolences
Joyce and Tim Ringler
Shelley, Jane, and Peter,
Tim and I are saddened by the passing of your mother. She was a fascinating woman and we enjoyed her visit to our home a couple of years ago with Shelley and Gina. I know you will miss her deeply. You are in our hearts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Joyce and Tim Ringler
Marilyn Willer
I am so very sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. You all have my sympathy. She was quite an accomplished person, as was Frank. No surprise their grandchildren are so successful. When requested, she shared her advice with me. She was always willing to share with others. Quite a lady.
June Bell
To the family of Shirley Mattson.. Our condolences to you all in the loss of your mother and grandmother. As you have said many times, hers was a life well lived; and the world was a better place from her presence. Our thoughts are with you.
Jim and June Bell
Tina M. DeLaet (Durnwald)
Jane,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your Mom. What a wonderful lady!!!
Tina
Nancy (Creighton) Karg
As we are saddened to hear of your mother’s passing, we will remember her for her love and passion
For others. Her love and companionship for my Uncle Bud Burkett was unending. God bless you as you celebrate Shirley’s life.
Chris Griffin
I am sorry to lose my dear Aunt Shirley who was my mother Ethelyn’s sister. Shirley always provided such a wonderful role model for me in her strong independent personality. She demonstrated how to move through life’s most painful losses with grace and strength while holding a compassionate heart connection with all her loved ones. She will be missed and forever loved by me and all of my sisters. May your ongoing journey be peaceful and lovely Aunt Shirley!
Peg Wiggs
Shelly,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss, knowing that she is in God’s I hope this gives you comfort
Rick Burkett
Dear Shelly, Pete, and Jane,
Our hearts reach out to you in this time of the loss of your Mom. Shirley was always one of our favorite people! We are so glad we got to have dinner with her as recently as last June when we delivered Peter’s peas in person. We are also sorry we will not be able to make the trip to Fremont for her funeral but we will be with you all in spirit. Peace be with you especially during these next few days.
With all our love,
Rick and Tess
Carrie Deshaw
jane and family, what a wonderful Mother and legacy with all of you. Shirley sets the example we should all want to be! May the memories spread sunshine in the days ahead.
Carrie Deshaw
(Jane’s former colleague)
Rick & Luella Smith
Shelley and family,
We are so sorry and saddened to learn of your mother’s death. Just reading her obituary brought back so many fond memories of our time spent together in high school and on Swiss Road. Your mom lived a wonderful life in spite of the many losses and challenges. Our prayers are with you and your family as you go thru this time of loss. May God give you His peace and comfort as only He can.
With love,
Rick and Luella
Kathleen Lull Seaton
Dear Mattson Children,
I remember your mother from my days in the Fremont school. She was always friendly and kind. Over the years I often heard about her many kindnesses to her neighbor, Judy Hill. I am thinking of you at this time.
Kathy Lull Seaton
Re (Bonnell) Chamberlin
Shelly and family,
So very sorry for your loss. I regret never having the privilege of meeting your mother, but watching the video tribute it is obvious that she was a very caring and loved lady. My thoughts are with you.
Re (Bonnell) Chamberlin
Sandy Simpkins
Shelley….so sorry for your loss. I know you mother was an important part of your life. I feel like I know her from all our conversations. Thinking of you and your family….
Lori (Penkivech) Kopischke
It is hard to believe the last of the Murray girls has passed away. I am so very sorry to hear of Aunt Shirley’s passing. You all have my sympathy. I always remember her full of life and enjoying herself.
My grandmother was Pearl Thomas and my mom was Joan Penkivech. I remember playing with all of you at Golden Lake when we were very young. It was always fun to get the Murray girls and my grandma all together to talk about growing up together…let’s just say they had a lot of fun memories.
I will be thinking of all of you and keeping you all in my prayers.
Much love to you all.