Shirley Doreen Matson, 71, of 1535 Erickson Avenue, Marquette, joined the ranks of the angels in Heaven on August 19, 2005. Surrounded by her loving family at home, she went peacefully following a brief illness.

Shirley was born in Marquette to William and Yvonne (Lassard) Normand on April 19, 1934. She was a 1953 graduate of the Bishop Baraga High School and was a lifelong Marquette resident. Shirley married Francis “Skip” Matson on December 19, 1954. Over the years she worked at Marquette General Hospital and mainly stayed at home and cared lovingly for her family. Her closest friends were her husband and siblings. Over the years Shirley, Mom and Grandma, loved her family more than anything in the world. She especially enjoyed playing cribbage and other card games with her family and friends. Shirley, Mom, and Grandma also enjoyed with perfection, cooking for all her family at barbeques, picnics, and holidays.

Shirley is survived by:

Her husband of over 50 years, Francis “Skip” Matson

Her children: Cherie (Dave) June of Marquette, Bob (Rita) Matson of Escanaba, Jim (Barb) Matson of Gwinn, and Bill (Angeline) Matson of Dowagiac

Her grandchildren: Billi Jo (Glen) Lehtomaki, Kimmie Perry, Missy Perry, Mike Perry, Michelle Perry, Chantel Kurian, Joshua, Krystal Matson, Mike Matson, Christopher Matson, Ethan Matson, and Sarah Matson

Her great-grandchildren: Mikayla Lehtomaki and Tyler Lehtomaki

Her siblings, Bill Normand, Barb Hanford, and Beverly (Ed) Burch of Marquette

A brother-in-law, Frank Sciotto of Marquette

Several nieces, nephews, and cousins

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Bill “Pappy” and Yvonne Normand; a sister, Joan Sciotto; and brothers-in-law, Bob and Harry Hanford.

Friends may call at the Fassbender Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. A parish prayer service will be held at 7:30 pm Tuesday evening in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday morning, August 24, at 10:00 am in St. Christopher Catholic Church with Rev. Roy Joseph, as celebrant. Pallbearers will be Shirley’s grandchildren and her nephews, Bob Hanford and Tim Matson. Burial will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy or a donations can do so in care of the Matson Family, 1535 Erickson, Marquette, MI 49855