Mary Alice Matthews

She was born November 15, 1921, in Pennsylvania, to Clarence and Clara Dinsmore. She grew up in Flint, Michigan. During WW2, while working in the Pentagon, she met her future husband Seth Hayden ‘Mickey’ Matthews, Jr, of Gulfport, MS when he came in to pick up his orders. They were married in Cape Cod, MA. May 19, 1943. She is preceded in death by her first son Seth Hayden ‘Mike’ Matthews, III, who was killed on active duty in Vietnam; her brother R. C. ‘Bob’ Dinsmore; and her husband Seth. Survivors include her son, Marc Dinsmore Matthews of the home, her daughter Annice Clare Ellis of Las Vegas, NV; 3 grandchildren: Jennifer Hillery Ellis of Fanlew, FL; Kevin Wayne Matthews of Merritt Island, FL; and Hayden Marie Parr of Johnson City, TN; and her great grandchildren, Florence Clare Parmer (Jennifer’s), and Riley Reagan Parr, Keaton Ellis Parr and Julia Hayden Parr (Hayden’s).

She attended Michigan State Univ., The Univ. of Houston (BA), The University of Florida 1967 (MA) and Florida State University 1976 (PhD).

Dr. Matthews was a life-long educator. She taught high school art in Pasadena, TX , substituted in Muskogee, OK, and while living on Merritt Island, she taught art at Eau Gallie High School from 1963 to 1974. At FSU she was a professor in the clothing, textile design and costume areas of the College of Home Economics, retiring in 1990. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and Beta Sigma Phi. She traveled the world over, studying textiles indigenous to the areas she visited and frequently lead FSU students on summer studies to the garment district in NYC and abroad.

She was a no non-sense character with sayings such as, “Bored people are boring,” and “Rules are to be considered.” She attended Epiphany Lutheran Church, loved playing the organ, attending theater on Broadway and London, and participating in the mall walking groups at both Governor’s Square and the Tallahassee Mall. She spent many happy hours at the Tallahassee Senior Center in watercolor portrait class, line dancing, and Jazzercise.

Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 30, 2017, at Florida Memorial Gardens, Rockledge, Florida.

A very special thanks to everyone at the Westminster Oaks Health Center for the loving care they provide. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Westminster Foundation, 4449 Meandering Way, Tallahassee, FL 32308.