Marilyn Sue Matthiesen, 78, of Grove, Oklahoma, wrote her final chapter on May 24, 2018. Sue was born in Enid, Oklahoma to Tom and Ruby Jones, and was the second oldest in a family of seven sharp witted, rambunctious and loving children. She graduated from Enid High School in 1958 and received her B.A. in English and M.A in Education from NWOSU in 1980 and 1987, respectively. Sue was the librarian at Cherokee middle and high school for eighteen years where she also taught English and computer science. Sue was an avid reader who generously shared her passion for literature with her children, grandchildren and students. For many of her students, Sue was a valued role model and mentor. Those relationships continued beyond graduation as her students furthered their educations, pursued careers and began families. She was especially proud of the Baby Think It Over program that she championed during her tenure at Cherokee; a program that allowed students to explore the emotional, financial and social realities of parenting. Sue and her husband, Lee, lived in Alva, Oklahoma for over 35 years where they raised their three children and were active in the community and church. They especially enjoyed singing in the choir and playing cards with friends. When they retired, they moved to the lake house at Grove. They got their passports and began travel adventures that spanned five continents. Sue served as the treasurer for Friends of the Grove Public Library, and in multiple leadership roles for P.E.O, including past-president. As a member of Bob's class at the First United Methodist Church, she volunteered with Backpack Ministries and Child SHARE, a program which benefits children in foster care. She believed in the transformative nature of education and even after she retired from teaching, continued to grade high school English papers. She unapologetically bragged about her family and was known to host eventful murder mystery dinner parties. Sue will be greatly missed by the family she leaves behind, which include her children Gregg Matthiesen (JoVona), Shannon Davis (Greg) and Cindy Matthiesen; her five grandchildren, Ryan (Joy), Stephanie (Clint), Jonah, Harrison, and Addison; and her adored great-grandson, Ryker. She was the unifying force and dear friend to her five surviving siblings, Max Jones, Donna Sartin, Bob Jones, Ted Jones (Janice), and Pat Byrd (Joe). Sue was proceeded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Lee, their infant daughter, Julie Kay, her brother Rex, and parents Tom and Ruby Jones. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Grove, OK. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friends of the Grove Public Library at 1140 NEO Loop, Grove, OK 74344, or the Oklahoma P.E.O. Project Fund, Inc. at P.O. Box 30815, Edmond, OK 73003. Friends and family may leave online condolences by viewing Sue's obituary at www.ellisfuneralhome.com.
Service Details
Saturday, June 9th, 2018 1:00pm, First United Methodist Church of Grove