Marilyn (Mary) Hall Matthews

August 5, 2017

Marilyn (Mary) Hall Matthews, age 88, of McAllen, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 5, 2017, at home. She was born April 7, 1929, in Washburn, Maine, the daughter of Henry and Ruth (Duncan) Russell. Mary graduated in 1946 from Washburn High School. From 1946 -48, she attended Graceland College in Lamoni, IA. She returned to the University of Maine in Orono, to complete an Education degree in Home Economics in 1950. On August 21, 1950, in Washburn, Mary married John Alan Hall of Orono. Their first home was in Ashtabula, OH, where together they reared four children. In 1963, John was transferred to Texas City, TX and the family moved to Dickinson, TX. When Mary moved to Texas she decided to go by her given name, Marilyn. They lived in Dickinson until the sudden death of John in 1980. On August 17, 1985, in Webster, TX, Marilyn married Max M. Matthews of McAllen. Together, they resided in McAllen for 31 years. Marilyn loved her family, extended family, church family, Dickinson friends, Waterwalk neighbors, and friends from all walks of life. No one was a stranger for long to her. Aunt Mary always was interested in the lives of her nieces and nephews. All were special to her. Marilyn lived her life to the fullest. She enjoyed traveling, camping, entertaining, playing tennis, water skiing, scuba diving, and more. She was a lifelong member of the Community of Christ serving as a Pastor, Elder, and Evangelist. She also spent many years as a volunteer working at the McAllen International Museum and teaching English as a Second Language for many young women in McAllen. In the words of her granddaughter, she was the best grandma ever. Survivors include: her husband, Max; son, Russell (Sharon) Houston, TX; daughter, Kris Ann (Terry) Lancaster, WI; son, Scott (Sheila) Ft. Worth, TX; son, Greg (Trish) Tatum, TX; brother, Maurice (June) Russell, Independence, MO; brother-in-law, Jerry Hampton, Lamoni, IA; Stepdaughter, Lynn Matthews, Independence, MO; and Stepson, Scott Matthews (Joanne), McAllen. Grandchildren include: Whitney (Brad) Keller, Travis Hall, John (Megan) Noble, Elizabeth (Hana) Moefu, Jolyn (Corey) Hines, Sarah (Andrew) Paramore, Andrew Hall, Michael (Tawnie) Hall, Austin (Ali) Hall, Cody Hall, David Elley, David Elley, Aaron Matthews, Austin (Sarah) Matthews, and Dylan Matthews. Great- grandchildren: Julianna Morrison (Noble), Jonathan Mosley (Hall), Denton Hines, Wyatt Hines, Jolina Moefu, Jocelynn Hall, Elsie Noble, and Kailani Moefu. Many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by her first husband, John Hall, sister, Betty Ettinger and sister, Helen Hampton. Memorial Services will be held in McAllen, Bandera, TX, and Independence, MO, at dates and times to be determined by the family at a later date. Memorials may be made to Outreach International, 129 W. Lexington, Independence, MO 64050. We wish to express our gratitude to the staff at Amara Hospice Care, Edinburg, TX for their excellent care.