Elizabeth May Mattson

Elizabeth passed away peacefully in her sleep September 8, 2011. She was born in Glenville, Minnesota on September 1, 1918, to Lillian and DeVerne Johnson. Elizabeth, or Beth to her friends, grew up in the Seattle area, first attending Franklin and then graduating from Lincoln High School, She pledged the Chi Omega sorority at the University of Washington. Shortly after graduating from the U of W, she married Julius (Tuba) Mattson of Seattle in Washington, D.C. They were about to share 62 years of marriage.

Their early years were spent in Washington, D.C., Portland, Oregon, Seattle and Bainbridge Island, Washington. Beth and Tuba had two children, Joanne and Jeffrey. In 1961 Tuba was transferred to Tokyo, Japan, and then to Manila, Philippines in 1966. During that time, Beth served as the Protocol Secretary for the wives of both the American Ambassadors to Japan and the Philippines. She enjoyed meeting many fascinating people. She also taught English in a Japanese Girl's College in Tokyo for two years.

Returning to the United States, Beth and Tuba lived in Washington, DC, Portland, Oregon and Miami, Florida. In 1988, they moved back to the Seattle area near Woodinville to be closer to family. Since Tuba's passing in 2005, Beth lived with her daughter and her husband in Stanwood, Washington.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Julius Mattson, mother, Lillian Johnson, father, DeVerne Johnson and sister, Marjorie Johnson. She is survived by her daughter, Joanne Hilton and husband Eugene, her son Jeffrey and wife Deborah of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. She also has 2 granddaughters and 4 great-grandchildren as well as other relatives living in the Seattle area.

Our mother enjoyed life. She loved her family and friends - from the fond times on the beach on Bainbridge, sailing, boating in the San Juan Islands, serving as Bluebird/Campfire Girls leader and PTA President, golfing with family, to enjoying the wonderful family holdiays and birthdays. She enjoyed travel, whether it was sightseeing in Asia, driving through Europe or the numerous east to west coast car trips made over the years. She loved music, dancing and playing the piano and organ. She took a great interest in following the activities of all her grandhcildren and encouraging them to do their best. Her friends were dear and her weekly Bible study was an important part of her life. Our mother will surely be missed and forever loved. We are very grateful for all her thoughtful and loving participation in our lives. A private family memorial will be held.

Arrangements under the direction of Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Seattle, Washington.