Elizabeth Matthews

Elizabeth Matthews, age 92, died Monday, May 23, 2016. Elizabeth was born July 24, 1923 in Detroit to the late Peter Strumbos and the late Garafalia (nee: Molacy) Strumbos. Growing up in Detroit, Elizabeth attended and was a proud graduate of the city's Northwestern High School. Following school, she sought employment and enjoyed the independence of being a part of the workforce. She was a hard worker and found it quite rewarding to be amid the masses earning a living,...right up until her life took a romantic turn when she met and fell in love with the man who swept her off her feet,...the dashing, young Peter J. Callis. Elizabeth's short-lived career would be pleasantly exchanged for a walk down the aisle as she and Peter became husband & wife. Together the two lovebirds built upon the comforts of home, and raised two beautiful children, James P. Callis and Becky E. Callis. Sadly, Peter passed away shortly after Becky's birth. Elizabeth remained a widow for the next ten years,...until Cupid shot his arrow again, this time capturing the heart of the man she would take as her 2nd husband, George Matthews. They shared their vows on December 26, 1970 and went on to spend over 45 years of marriage together, growing deeper in love with each passing day.Elizabeth was an active and beloved member of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Sterling Heights. Her faith and church were very important parts of her life, and she reached out with a servant's heart that touched the lives of many. When it came time for a little fun, that often meant sitting down to the card table with family or friends for a rousing game of cards. Another of her favorite pastimes (and perhaps, most special) came in her love of bowling. She was quite good at it and enjoyed many years on the alley's with fellow kegler's. It was at the age of 80 that Elizabeth experienced a pinnacle bowling moment when she was awarded a trophy for scoring a 205 game. That's right,...at 80! That trophy was one of her most prized possessions in life. She also enjoyed traveling and was blessed to do so extensively. Among the many beautiful and scenic highlights she enjoyed in her travels, she built a portfolio that included memorable destinations such as Austria, the Hawaiian Islands, the Bahamas, England, Germany, Switzerland, much of the United States, and many islands in the Mediterranean. Of all the splendor Elizabeth enjoyed around the globe, her most memorable vacation was the time that she and a combination of 20 family and friends chartered a yacht and sailed to many of the islands in the Mediterranean. Fun becomes so much more special when shared with many, and that family & friends cruise was a time to behold,...for both she and her traveling companions.Elizabeth leaves to cherish her memory, husband George; her two children, James P. Callis and Becky E. Callis, and her beloved granddaughter, Erene E. Hatzistamatis. She is also survived by 3 stepchildren, Sharon (Robert) Kirtley, Gary Matthews, and Cynthia Thompson. Visitation for Elizabeth will be held Thursday, May 26th from 3 - 9 pm, with a 7:00 pm Trisagon Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Rd. at Common (12 1/2 Mile Rd) in Warren. She will lie In state on Friday from 9:30 am until time of the Funeral Service at 10:00 am at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 11455 Metro Pkwy, Sterling Heights. Entombment will follow at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East Cemetery in Clinton Township.Please share memories of Elizabeth at her memory book above.