Virginia Hatzes Matthews

Virginia Hatzes Matthews, of Panama City, passed away Saturday, June 4, 2011, in her home.

Virginia Hatzes Matthews's life had a dramatic flair. She drew passion from her mother, who was chairwoman of the National Republican Women's Committee during the Eisenhower Era. Strength of character came from her father, the business man, who arrived from Greece as a 7 year old with his father. And she found bliss with a handsome Naval Lieutenant whose WWII courtship led to marriage.

She was born Aug. 19, 1921, in Manchester, N.H., to George A. Hatzes Sr. and Helena Messier Hatzes. After graduating from Dunbarton College in Communications and Smith College USNR, OTS, she worked in the State Dept. and served as a Navy Ltjg. in Washington, D.C., where she met and married Jack Matthews, also a Navy Lt. and attorney.

She began her married life in Illinois, starting a family. After several years, they moved to Jackson, Miss., where she immersed herself in civic and cultural activities.

Among her many interests, she was president of Board of Trustees Sanders School for Cerebral Palsy, Secretary-Treasurer, representative to Board of Trustees United Giver Fund, President of Mississippi Art Association and Executive Board Member – 11 years, Opera Guild Board Members, Publicity and Promotion, Jackson Symphony Board Member – 11 years – Promotion, Publicity, Pops Concert Ticket Chairman, Arrangements Chairman for the March of Dimes, Heart Fund, District Commissioner American Athletic Union – 8 years – arranging all swimming and track and field meets and Golden Gloves events, Judge for Women's International Swimming Track and Field AAU representative.

She was listed in Who's Who of American Women in 1967 for the many fundraising efforts and was honored at Tulane University in 1963 for her work with community leaders, the AAU and was presented "Honorary Citizen" of New Orleans by the Mayor.

In 1964, the family moved to Port Huron, Mich. While continuing her interest in the arts as President of the Port Huron Symphony Association and Board Member of the International Symphony of Sarnia and Port Huron, she received an "Education Specialist Certificate" from Wayne State University, and in 1977 pursued a teaching career at St. Edwards on the Lake School and Port Huron Adult Learning Center.

They retired in 1981 to Panama City. Both she and Jack were avid bridge players and received Advanced Senior Master Status in 1987.

She was predeceased by her husband, Jack, and one younger brother, Robert Louis Hatzes, of Orange, Va.

She is survived by her two children, Anthony "Tony" Matthews and wife, Stephanie, of Panama City Beach, and Meredith Sassano and husband, Ronald, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Cameron Matthews and wife, Kate, Rebecca Boxerman and husband, Jason, and Meredith Lee Matthews; great-grandson, Jackson Arthur Matthews, all of Panama City Beach; and brother, George A. Hatzes Jr. of Alexandria, Va.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at St. Bernadette's Catholic Church, 1214 Moylan Road, Panama City Beach, on Monday, June 13 with a rosary service to be at 5 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at the church at 6 p.m.

Our family thanks Covenant Hospice for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Covenant Hospice, 107 W. 19th St., Panama City, FL 32405, in memory of Virginia Matthews.
Wilson Funeral Home
Family Owned Since 1911
214 Airport Road
Panama City, Fla.
850-785-5272