Rita Matheny

Dear Matheny Family,
I met Rita in the 1990s when I was a reporter for area newspapers. She was no longer mayor, but still active in the community. I was always impressed by her friendship and working relationship with the Tulalip Tribes, which was lacking in city government at the time.
She was also fun to talk to and of course, provided a good quote!
She was a visionary and her mark on the community shows to this day.
Kristin

I am from Belfast, N. Ireland i grew up with my mum telling me stories of Rita. My mum was Rita's niece Mairead Mc Garry. Rita has been an inspiration to us all and i only wish that i could have met her and her family here in America. God rest you soul Rita. You will be forever in our hearts and thoughts.

Dear Frank & family of Rita,
I feel very honered to have been a friend of Rita's just by photographing her for the cover of Finesse magazine. Days, weeks, and years later Rita always stopped to ask about my career, family or tell me anout hers!. She was, as you well know was such a complete Joy to know and treasured friend.
Rita is the kind of woman who brings to life the term ' Amazing grace'. My thoughts & prayers with you now and always.
My Best Regartds ,
James...

I first met Frank and Rita when she was mayor of Marysville. I met her when she first came to my shop, Family Hair Care Center, on fourth street. She was always sweet and had a kind word for everyone. She continued coming to the shop for fifteen years and we became good friends. She was always positive and had an uplifting outlook on life. I will miss her and her family stories.

Sandy Christensen

Rita will always be very special to both of us. She always displayed a positive proudness at being a naturalized U.S.citizen and often made the rest of us aware that we were taking for granted our good fortune to live in this great and free country. We thank her for that.

I will always remember Rita fondly. Not only did I know her as a friend but I worked with her during Marysville's Centennial when she was the mayor.

It is sad that she had left this rhealm, but who can think of her without smiling? She's no doubt carrying on in heaven where she still has that lovely Irish lilt in her voice; that twinkle in her eye, and that indomitable spirit we all knew and loved so well.

Until we meet to laugh again.

Pat Olsen

May God bless and keep Rita Matheny.Truely a great American!

Wow, what a Lady! She will be missed!

When Rita was the Mayor of Marysville, WA, I received a personal call from her inviting me to a historical meeting.

She was such a champion of local business. She called me up during the meeting and presented me with a picture by a local artist....a lovely large picture of a farm scene, a farmer feeding several pigs. She said I just had to have that picture in honor of Biringer Farm's annual "Pigout on the Farm" Strawberry Harvest...

I am deeply saddened by the passing of your Mother and would like to extend our Heartfelt Condolences to all in the Matheny Family.

It's been 38 or 39 years....

If I may share a funny little childhood memory ?

Every once in a while I think back as I have many pleasent memories of growing up as your neighbor on Lake Stevens.

Numerous stories stick in my mind but for some reason this morning one surfaces in particular as I ponder.

I...