Catherine Matthews Martin

Catherine was born on August 24,1945, the youngest of four to the late John P. and Martha D. Matthews of North Little Rock, AR. She was a graduate of Mount St. Mary Academy in 1963, where she cherished lifelong friendships that began in the halls of her high school. She graduated from University of Arkansas in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts in French and then pursued her master’s degree in French. She went on to study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1971 working towards a PHD in Romance Languages, one of just a handful of universities in the country to offer this prestigious designation. She completed the necessary coursework and moved in the 1970s to Baton Rouge, LA where she was working on her dissertation and then started a family. She moved back to North Little Rock in 1983 and in 1987 followed her cooking passion, partnering with Roxanne Trickey and Capi Peck and that’s when Trio’s Restaurant came to fruition. After spending approximately 10 years in the restaurant industry, Catherine transitioned to a new chapter becoming a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. This was fitting given her family legacy with General Properties, a 3rd generation real estate company. Catherine was next given an opportunity to substitute teach at The Anthony School, where her children attended, and found a passion for teaching, which led her to Central High School and back to her roots in Language Studies. She taught French I and French II until she retired at age 64 finding joy in being a new grandmother.

Catherine is survived by her son, John (Allison) Martin, daughter Eleanor Martin, grandchildren (Emerson and Ellis Martin), brother (Charles Matthews), and many nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents John and Martha Matthews as well as her brothers (Jack Matthews and Jim Matthews).

Catherine was a woman of many passions and talents. She was a certified Master Gardener, dedicating countless hours to cultivating beautiful gardens and sharing her expertise with others. A devout Catholic, she volunteered tirelessly, offering her time and skills to support various church activities and outreach programs, such as Our House and Helping Hand. She had a love for the game of bridge and enjoyed numerous afternoons playing with friends. Her culinary skills were exceptional, earning her a reputation as a fabulous chef who delighted family and friends with her exquisite meals. Additionally, she found great joy in attending the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, where she appreciated the beauty and complexity of classical music. A devoted animal lover, Catherine had a special place in her heart for dogs, who brought her immense happiness throughout her life. As a dedicated educator, she was passionate about sharing her love for the French language and culture, often hosting French exchange students, and helping organize French conversation groups locally.

Catherine was known by family and friends for her giving nature, big heart, social gatherings, and could light up a room with her fabulous stories and laughter. Her large network of friends describes her as intelligent, loyal, funny, generous, and a wonderful chef! When John and Eleanor were growing up, she was always the involved mom – taking kids to baseball games and tournaments and swim meets all over the state, and never missed a chance to be involved volunteering at the kids’ schools. Her greatest joy came from her family. As a devoted grandmother, Catherine (or Kitty as her grandchildren referred to her) was deeply involved in the lives of Emerson and Ellis. She attended their activities, celebrated their achievements, and provided unwavering support and love. Her home was always a place of warmth and laughter, where her grandchildren created cherished memories. Some of those memories include endless trips to Purple Cow and All Aboard (with stops for ice cream in between), baking goodies to share with the family, teaching cooking skills while making dinner for John and Allison, playing her favorite music selections, and dancing in the kitchen with them. Catherine left an impression on everyone she encountered and will be remembered by so many people for the wonderful ways she brought joy and laughter into their lives.

A memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of St. Andrew on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 9:30am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cathedral of St. Andrew, Pulaski County Master Gardeners, Our House, or Helping Hand.