Patricia Matheson

Patricia Jeanett Easton Matheson

Longtime Richland, Oregon, resident Patricia Jeanett Easton Matheson, age 98, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2024, at her daughter’s home in Orem, Utah. A Graveside Service in Patricia’s honor will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024 – 11:00 a.m. at the Eagle Valley Cemetery.  A potluck reception (main dish will be provided) following at the Eagle Valley Grange Park in Richland.

Patricia was born June 20, 1926, in a logging camp at Valsetz, Oregon, to Eugene Elmer Easton and Edna Leona Wood Easton. When Patricia was about a year old, she and her family moved to Molalla, Oregon. Then between 1932 and 1934 they moved to Tillamook.  When Patricia was eleven years old her mother died along with the baby she just delivered.  Patricia then lived with various relatives in Oregon.  She attended high school in Odell and Hood River. Following her junior year in high school she married Robert Corwin Matheson, August 30, 1943 in White Salmon, Washington. Other than a short stay in Rockaway, Oregon, Robert and Patricia lived at Brightwood, Oregon for 27 years. Robert worked for the Oregon Department of Transportation and was also a part-time logger. In 1971 he was transferred to Richland. The couple had four daughters: Carolyn, Roberta, Rebecca, and Marilyn, and one son, Robert, who died in infancy.

Patricia loved to sew. She bought her first sewing machine in 1952, a Singer. She sewed everything from baby dresses to formals for proms. She sewed Robert’s shirts, dresses for her daughters and suits for her grandsons. She did alterations and enjoyed servicing sewing machines.

Patricia also loved to cook. She was known for her breadmaking, angel food cake, cream puffs, applesauce cake, and more. Patricia loved to work, and often was found working right alongside Robert. She worked inside and outside on her home, doing wallpapering, painting, sheet rocking, spackling, roofing, cement laying, and shakes. She painted one of their cars with a paint brush! She gave haircuts and perms. She enjoyed hunting and fishing, gardening, and canning.

Robert and Patricia joined the local Eagle Valley Grange shortly after arriving in Richland. Patricia became an EMT in 1985.  She became widowed in 1992 when Robert passed away. In 2005, at the age of 79, she earned the Basic EMT of the Year Award for the State of Oregon. In 2013 at the age of 87, she earned her GED through Blue Mountain Community College. In 2014 She was awarded the Lifelong Commitment to Learning Award from Pine Valley High School. She was an active Eagle Valley Grange member for over 50 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, infant sister Carolyn Faye, brother Eugene, infant son Robert, daughter Rebecca, and her longtime close friend Fred Riggs.

Patricia is survived by children:  Carolyn (Frank) Christensen of Sterling, Alaska; Roberta (DJ) Smith of Orem, Utah: and Marilyn (Jeff) Yost of Dallas, Oregon; eight grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and eight great great grandchildren.

Donations in Patricia’s honor can be made to Eagle Valley Grange or Eagle Valley Ambulance through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com