Margaret Matson

Jul 5, 1950 -

May 12, 2023

Margaret Katherine "Katie" Matson, 72, entered eternal rest on May 12, 2023, in Anchorage, Alaska. A true pioneer born on July 5, 1950, in Fairbanks, Alaska, prior to statehood, Katie remained a steadfast Alaskan at heart despite occasional periods living "Outside."

Katie graduated from East Anchorage High School and earned her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 1982. Though she had a successful professional career, she preferred to be known for her unwavering dedication to her family and garden.

Katie was a woman of strength, resilience and diligence, facing hardships with grace. Known affectionately as "the Green Tea Lady," Katie passionately taught reading, grammar, phonetics and etymology, sharing her wisdom with her grandchildren, friend's children and grandchildren, and anyone willing to listen. She spent much of her life cultivating her gardens and greenhouses, taking pride in her plethora of tomatoes and cucumbers. Katie's joy stemmed not only from nurturing life but also from sharing her prized produce freely with all who knew her.

Katie is survived by her husband, Dave Matson; daughters, Dani Foster and Tessa FitzSimmons; stepchildren, Becky O'Hara and Michael Matson; grandchildren, Kimberly Shore, Kaiden Foster, Ryan FitzSimmons, Maycie Foster, Mairyn Foster, Alaina Foster, Ashley FitzSimmons, Adilynn Matson and Tyler Matson; sister, Judith Aono; and brothers, Howard Shore III and William Shore. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard Shore II and Willa May Shore.

A funeral service will take place at Anchorage Church of Christ in Anchorage, at 2:30 p.m., on Saturday, May 20, 2023. The family kindly requests donations to Midnight Sun Bible Camp, 2700 DeBarr Road, Anchorage, AK 99508, in lieu of flowers.

Katie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be remembered with love.