Obituary - Margaret J. Mattson

Tuesday, June 12, 2001
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

Juneau resident Margaret Jean Mattson, known commonly as Jean, died June 9, 2001, at the Juneau Pioneers' Home.

She was born on Oct. 7, 1920, in Aberdeen, Wash. She grew up there and graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1938. She attended Grays Harbor Junior College and graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor's degree in bacteriology. She joined the Army in 1943 and served for three years as a second lieutenant in the Medical Corps. She was discharged in 1946 and worked as a laboratory technician and bacteriologist in various hospitals and public health departments.

She married Chester "Chet" Mattson on March 22, 1947, in Seattle. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Oregon City, Ore., where Chet was a fisheries biologist. They moved to Douglas in 1957 where the couple raised their four boys.

She was the Douglas correspondent for the Juneau Empire and also wrote a lively column. She worked as the librarian for the U.S. Bureau of Mines until she retired in 1982. She was a member of the Douglas Community Methodist Church, PEO, Sons of Norway, Pioneers of Alaska and the Alaska Librarians Association. She also volunteered many years of service to the Cub Scouts, Douglas Library, Alaska State Museum, Juneau Visitors Center and the Golden North Salmon Derby. She and Chet were grand marshals of the 1995 Douglas Fourth of July Parade. She enjoyed traveling, playing bridge, genealogy and spending time with her family and many friends.

She is survived by her brother Dow Watkins and his wife Ruth of Sonora, Calif.; her sister-in-laws Marianne Watkins of Wenatchee, Wash. and Shirley Sansborn of Seattle; her sons Rich Mattson and wife Peggy, Ken Mattson and wife Ann, and Bob Mattson and wife Maria, all of Juneau, and Dr. Mike Mattson and wife Rilla of Puyallup, Wash; and her 10 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Douglas United Methodist Church on Friday, June 15, at 11 a.m. Contributions can be made in her name to the Juneau Pioneers' Resident Council, The Bridge Adult Day Center or to a charity of your choice.