Shirley Watland Matney

Devoted wife, loving mother, beloved grandmother, and gifted pianist, Shirley Watland Matney passed away peacefully due to natural causes Wednesday, April 21, 2010 in Maple Plain, Minnesota at the age of 87. Shirley was born June 27, 1922 in Tremonton, Utah to Ruth and Gifford Watland. She graduated from Bear River High School in 1940 serving as a class officer and drill team leader and attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah. She worked at Bushnell Army Hospital in Brigham City, Utah where she fell in love with a patient, Thomas Wright Matney. They were married in Vancouver, Washington on February 14, 1944 and moved to Logan, Utah to continue their educations. They settled in Tremonton to establish an accounting business and raise their four children, Marianne, Susanne, Tommy and Julie. In 1966, they moved to Soda Springs, Idaho, and upon retirement in 1981, moved to St. George, Utah where they enjoyed many happy years. Shirley's husband, Tom, died in 1988. She also lived in Lewiston, Idaho and Sheridan, Wyoming. She was preceded in death by her husband, her son, Thomas Gifford Matney, her parents and her granddaughter, Holly Sue Linford. Shirley leaves behind daughters, Marianne Valenta Frank, Lake Jackson, Texas; Susanne Shuler Alan, Plymouth, Minnesota; Julie Weitz Mark, Sheridan, Wyoming; daughter-in-law, Carol Bingham Matney, Eugene, Oregon; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jim Bonavita; Michael and Catherine Linford Matthew and Joseph; Richard and Gaye Linford Amanda, Jacob and Sophie; Sherianne Shuler and Nathan Morgan Lucy; Angel and Russ Burnside Gavin; David and Susan Shuler; Thomas Matney; Aaron Matney; Andrew Weitz and Katie Weitz. Shirley was active in the Eastern Star and Tremonton Community Methodist Church. She also was an accomplished pianist who, in addition to playing at family weddings and other occasions, also accompanied singers, instrumentalists and choirs including the Bear River High School choir in the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Shirley enjoyed playing golf and bridge, traveling and watching baseball, especially the Chicago Cubs. She proudly supported Barack Obama. Shirley's legacy continues through her lovely handiwork, outstanding cooking and musical talent. The family thanks the caring staff at Haven Homes in Maple Plain for providing comfort to Shirley in her final years. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 235 East 850 South, Brigham City, UT. Friends may call Friday, June 25, 2010 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Rogers and Taylor Funeral Home, 111 North 100 East, Tremonton, UT. Interment will be in the Tremonton Riverview Cemetery.