Marjorie Lee Matthews

Marge was born May 7, 1931, in Summit, New Jersey, to Nelson and Leola Wortman. She grew up in the small township of Far Hills, New Jersey, and went on to work as an accountant for most of her life.

On November 23, 1951, she married USAF Airman Fred Matthews of Bedminster, New Jersey, in Maryland. Their 36 years together were filled with love, travel, and adventure until Fred’s passing in 1988. As a military family, they moved frequently, but when Fred was stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in 1964, Marge saw the Colorado mountains and declared, “We’re home.” She and Fred enjoyed fishing and camping in their motorhome and made it a family goal to visit every U.S. state, Hawaii included, along with memorable trips to the United Kingdom.

A passionate genealogist, Marge researched the histories of both her family and Freds, discovering that her maiden name and her mother-in-law’s maiden name were the same, making her and Fred seventh cousins. This love of family history became a cherished legacy she passed on to her daughters.

Known by her long-time call sign “Shamrock Lady,” Marge was affectionately called “Gigi” and “The Empress of Stubborn” by her family. Her faith was a central part of her life. After exploring many churches as a young woman, she found her spiritual home in the Episcopal church. She was a devoted member of the Order of the Daughters of the King at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Aurora for many decades.

Marge was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, her parents, her younger sister, Peggy Harvey, her brother-in-law, Walter Harvey, her stillborn son, Fred III, and her son-in-law, Patrick Henry.

She is survived by her daughters, Bette Henry of Aurora, Robyn Matthews of Colorado Springs, and Elizabeth Matthews of Aurora; by her granddaughter, Sarah Bense and her husband Stephen, her great-grandchildren, Gabryella Bense, Krystofer Bense and Cayleigh Bense, of Aurora; her “other” sister, Maria Csizmarova Harvey of Manchester, New Jersey; her former son-in-law, Randy Pfeif of Aurora; her great-niece, Tina Freelove of New York; her step-granddaughter, Pam (Craig) Denton, Pam’s daughter, Michelle, and Michelle’s children, Brayden and Adalyn, all of Washington state; and by her daughter-of-the heart, Tracy Geib, and Tracy’s daughter, Breeahna Caligiure, of Westcliffe. Dozens of her daughter’s and granddaughter’s closest friends still call her “Mom.”

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 4:00pm at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1 Del Mar Circle, Aurora, 80011, presided over by the Reverend Kate Bradsen. Marge’s cremains will be interred privately at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, where she will at last join the love of her life for eternal rest.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to your favorite charity. The family extends its deepest thanks to the staff at The Medical Center of Aurora, particularly the ER, all her doctors, and the exceptional staff at Brighton Hospice who did everything they could to make her last days comfortable and peaceful.