Alyce Ann Matson

Alyce Ann Matson was born August 7, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan to Charles and Goldie Starkey.

Alyce loved to knit. She made hats for chemo patients and the newborn infants at Cascade Valley Hospital. She also knitted baby blankets, sweaters, and children’s hats for a clothing bank in Rochester, WA. Through the years, she knitted many afghans, throws, baby blankets, and hats for family and friends.

Alyce retired from South Puget Sound Community College, as program director for the purchasing department. After she retired, travel and church activities were an important part of her life, along with visiting family members in various parts of this country.

Alyce’s first trip, after retirement, was to Zimbabwe, Africa, with the Jubilate Choir from the Pacific Northwest to attend the dedication of the Africa University, which was sponsored by the United Methodist Church. The most thrilling part of the trip was singing the Hallelujah chorus from the Messiah with the choirs from England, Australia, Germany, and the Africa University choir.

A later trip to Egypt included seeing the pyramids and the sphinx. Then a visit to the museum in Cairo, where she viewed many items, including King Tut’s gold chair and bed. This was followed by a lunch at a lovely spot along the Nile River and an enjoyable felucca sailboat ride on the Nile. She was also able to visit a Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo. The trip in Egypt was concluded with crossing the Suez Canal into Israel and then on to Tel Aviv for the plane trip home.

Other trips included Germany, the Holy Land in Israel, England, Scotland, Mexico, and Canada. She also visited all, but five Northeastern states, in the United States.

A life, long member of the United Methodist Church, Alyce held many leadership positions in the church. As the United Methodist Women’s Tacoma District President, she traveled around the United States attending various conferences and training meetings. She was also on the Board for the Tacoma Community House, a facility which helped new immigrants ease into life in this country, as well as helping our less fortunate citizens with their education and securing employment.

Alyce completed training as a Certified Lay Speaker for the Methodist Church, then she filled in for pastors at various Methodist churches in Thurston, Lewis, and Snohomish counties, when there was need.

Alyce was a founder of Kloz 4 Kidz at the Marysville United Methodist church, which helps meet the need for basic clothing for the underserved school aged children of Snohomish County.

Alyce also trained at the Capital Medical Center Hospital in Tumwater as a Stephen Minister. Upon completion to her training, Alyce volunteered as a part of the pastoral care team. She visited patients in the hospital one day a week, until she moved to Snohomish County.

Alyce enjoyed attending Mariner baseball games and watching the Mariners and the Seahawks on the television. She also enjoyed watching her grandson’s playing sports.

Alyce is proceeded in death by her parents Charles and Goldie Starkey, Sister Noreen Haynes, Brother William Starkey, great grand daughter Rowyn Johnson, and her husband of 33 years Paul Matson.

Alyce is survived by her daughter; Joyce (Dale) Burt, son; Don (Cindy) Matson, and daughter; Janet White. Grandchildren; Kelsey (Greg) Garka, Kara Burt, Jacob (Kirsten) Matson, Luke Matson, Peter (Martha) Matson, Brynn (Cody) Johnson, and Taylor White. Great Grandchildren; Mason, Kendall, Ryleigh, Hudson, Oliva, Patrick, Ella, Wyatt, Mynroe, Wildyr and many loving nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Kloz 4 Kidz in care of the Marysville United Methodist Church, 5600 64th Street NE, Marysville, WA 98270; Raise for Rowyn, online charity, Tenino, WA; Providence Hospice 10530 19th Ave SE Suite 201, Everett, WA 98296