Shirley Reinke Matthews

Born March 15, 1921 in Des Moines, Iowa ended her journey in Santa Rosa, CA on September 16, 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Grace Reinke, her sisters, Barbara Reinke and Jane Belmont, her eldest son, Tim Matthews and her husband, Hubert (Matt) Matthews. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Matthews, son, Randy Matthews and his wife, Ann, her two granddaughters, Mallory Matthews and Shana Matthews, her niece, Jane Marie Belmont (Michelle Debus) and two nephews, Keith (Kathleen) and Mark Belmont (Terri), and their families. She is also survived by her beloved dog, Jake (14), who resides with her daughter. Shirley graduated from Paso Robles High School in 1939. She then graduated from San Jose State University with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Art in 1943. She met her husband to be, Matt Matthews, in 1945 in Salinas, California, where she was working as a chemist in a lab during the war. They married the following December in 1946. Thereafter they moved to San Luis Obispo where Matt attended Cal Poly on the G.I. Bill. Their oldest son, Tim, was born in 1947, and later when Matt was called back to active duty in the Air Force, they moved to Merced where their son, Randy, and their daughter, Lisa, were born and raised. Shirley had a warmth about her, a tremendous sense of humor and a zest for life like no other. She had a twinkle in her eyes that she never lost. She had a multitude of interests and hobbies, some of which were politics, current affairs, playing bridge, sewing, crocheting, knitting, and socializing with her many friends. Shirley was appointed and served more than twenty-five years as an officer of the Merced County Cemetery Board. She also enjoyed the many years that she served as a volunteer at Mercy Hospital. She had an immeasurable love and devotion to family, and, of course, the SF Giants. She and Matt moved into a new home in 1996 where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They welcomed Jake into their home in 2002 at which time he became their beloved four-legged companion. Shirley moved to Santa Rosa where her daughter lives in 2012 and continued to spread her smile, warmth and optimistic nature to all around her. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Mary Garcia, R.N., Wild Rose Care Home, and all of her staff for their warm and kind devotion and care of Shirley for the last year and a half. There is to be a celebration of a life well-lived on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m., at Stratford Evans Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations to one of Shirley’s favorite charities would be welcomed (Alzheimer’s Association, Hospice, Marie Green Psychiatric Center, or a charity of your choice).

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.