Carole Ann Matthews

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Harvard University University of Maine

Carole Matthews Obituary

Carole Ann Matthews
FALMOUTH - Carole Ann Matthews, 72, of Falmouth, died Oct. 10, 2016, after a brief illness.
Born in Port-land, she was the daughter William A. and Dorothea Utterstum Cassidy Sr.
She was a graduate of Portland High School, Class of 1962, and graduated from the University of Maine with a B.A. in 1966. From 1967-1970, she taught English in Hampton, Va. From 1970-1984, she taught English at Deering High School, where, as drama coach, she directed "West Side Story." According to her students, she literally "made the show." Beyond the classroom, she developed curriculum and mentored student teachers.
After a sabbatical in 1984-1985, she left teaching to pursue a graduate program in psychology at Harvard University, earning a master's of arts degree in 1990. She was awarded highest honors for research on "achievement motivations and job satisfaction in women entrepreneurs and managers."
Carole was co-owner and admin-istrative management for Matthews Construction, and managed the company with her late husband, Ronald Matthews. The business operated for 15 years in the greater Portland area until Ron's death in 2002.
In 2005, she returned to her first love, teaching. Prior to her death, she was an instructor in psychology at Husson University in Scarborough. According to her brother, she was headed directly into a Ph.D. program in neuroscience, when sidetracked with a diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a degenerative and fatal brain disorder affecting about one person per million per year, worldwide.
According to her brother, "Carole was a much-respected teacher who made a meaningful difference in the lives of her students." She had many hobbies: swimming, sailing, reading, sewing, and gardening.
She is survived by a brother, William A. Cassidy Jr., of Raymond; a sister Lois P. Shands, of Auburn, Ala.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a sister, Annette M. Beckwith.
Private services were held at Pine Grove Cemetery, where she was interred. Arrangements are entrusted to Wilson Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at: www.wilsonfhllc.com

Donations may be made to the
Richards Wing
Maine Medical Center
22 Bramhall Street
Portland, ME 04102, or
Ledgewood Manor Home
200 Route 115
Windham, ME 04062

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on Nov. 13, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Carole Matthews

6 Entries

A T

December 10, 2016

My deepest sympathy to the family. May god embrace you with his comfort, strength and peace. Psalms 29:1

Jan

November 22, 2016

I remember her swimming with us in the pool at Riverton. Always positive and energetic and a great conversationalist. She will be missed.

Lynn Wong

November 19, 2016

Mrs. Matthews was an AWESOME teacher who related to us students without trying to be one of us. She challenged and inspired us in the classroom and in our passions. Thanks so much for the drama training, the encouragement and the inspiration, Carole! You will always be loved and remembered with fondness.
Lynn Butterfield Wong (DHS 1975)

Alex

November 15, 2016

Carole Matthews was wonderful and a bright star who affected my life greatly. She was my phycology professor at Husson University and greatly inspired me to push my limits. I am deeply saddened to hear of her passing and wish her family and friends well in this sad time.

Dan Beale

November 15, 2016

I am so sorry to hear this news of Carole (and her husband Ron). I was a student at Deering High School in the 70's and I had the luck to have Carole as a teacher. With deepest sympathies to her family.

Mary Norbert

November 14, 2016

Dear Matthews/Cassidy Families,
How VERY SAD and SORRY I am to learn of the passing of "Mrs Matthews." I was LUCKY enough to have been a student of hers at Deering High School, in her "Theater Class," my senior year, along with a bunch of other seniors, and boy, did we have a BLAST!!!:) And...boy, did we LOVE and CHERISH Her!!!:) She was not only a GREAT teacher with a sensitive and caring heart and a great sense of humor, she was also a dear friend. I remember her devotion to her cherished friend, Catherine Robinson, another incredible English teacher at Deering High, who also died wayyyyy too young, and to her dear and wonderful husband, Ron, who was also a JOY to be around. My ONLY COMFORT is knowing that she is reunited with these two PRECIOUS people, and Heaven is now the RICHER with her presence. I am DEEPLY SADDENED by this news, as my family will be, for she lived right on my Mom's street in Falmouth!:( Safe Journey's to the Stars, my DEAR Mrs. Matthews! Please give my LOVE to ALL my OLD BELOVED DEERING HIGH TEACHERS who are greeting you at HEAVEN'S DOOR....With Love and Gratitude for your Friendship and for being one of the GREAT teacher's in my Life, Mary and Family

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