Lorna Higgs Matheson

Lorna Higgs Matheson 4/19/1934 ~ 12/8/2007 Lorna Higgs Matheson passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 8th, 2007. She lived a life of great vitality and love, and she gave generously of herself in building up the lives of others. In her last days her greatest joy was expressing her love and gratitude to her family and friends, especially her three grandsons, and she passed from us in the midst of our abiding love for her. Lorna leaves us the extraordinary legacy of her laughter and love of company, her deep faith in life, and her abundant goodness of heart. Lorna was born in Salt Lake City on April 19th, 1934, to Gerald Hillam "Turk" Higgs and Theresa Ball Higgs. She had three older brothers, with whom she grew up near Trolley Square and then in the Sugar House area. She attended Salt Lake City public schools and graduated from East High in 1952. She was a lively and much loved member of her graduating class, for whom she organized reunions for 55 years. At the reunion this summer she was deeply touched to be honored by her classmates, who dedicated the entire event to her. Lorna began attending the University of Utah in 1952, an association with the school that would last the rest of her life. She married Stephen D. Matheson in 1954 and supported him wonderfully through his years in dental school at the University of Oregon in Portland. Lorna and Steve made friendships in Portland that continue to thrive today and that have added inestimably to their lives. After four years at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, Lorna and Steve returned to Salt Lake City and devoted themselves to raising their three sons. Lorna embarked upon a tireless career of public service, and for over thirty years she served as office manager for Steve's dental practice. Patients greatly enjoyed talking with Lorna during their visits, and together she and Steve made the office a place of warmth and friendship. Lorna loved children and young people and dedicated her life to the cause of education. She served numerous times as PTA President in the schools attended by her sons, worked vigorously as a member of community councils and committees, and was elected three times to the Salt Lake City Board of Education. She served in this capacity from 1978 to 1990 and became President of the Board. Lorna then went on to serve the University of Utah in a wide variety of roles: she was a member of the National Advisory Council, President of the Alumni Association, and a member of the Board of Trustees. She served on countless projects and helped to establish the Gordon B. Hinckley Endowment for British Studies. She was formally recognized many times for her lifetime of service to students and to civic and educational institutions. Lorna believed that every human being has the right to respect, personal dignity, and equal opportunity. She believed that education was crucial for the individual's quality of life and for our collective life as a democratic society. Helping people to become educated was Lorna's great vocation in life, and in its service she was indefatigable. Lorna was preceded in death by her beloved father and mother, by her brothers Warren and Gerald Higgs, and by her brothers-in-law Governor Scott M. Matheson and Rollo Anderson. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Stephen D. Matheson, and by their sons and daughters-in-law Stephen and Teresa Matheson, Mark Matheson and Jennifer Falk, and Michael and Mary Matheson. Lorna's dear brother William S. Higgs survives her. So do the jewels of her life, her grandsons Lincoln, Xavier, and Aidan Matheson. Her love lives on in them and will be everlasting. Lorna and her family would like to thank all those who have been wonderful caregivers, including the remarkable people on the staffs of LDS Hospital and the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. Our special thanks to the physicians who have given her their loving and sustaining care: Dr. James Warenski, Dr. Tom King, Dr. John Ward, Dr. Don Lappé, and Dr. James Pearl, the family doctor. A funeral service will be held for Lorna on Wednesday, Dec. 12th at 12 noon at the Monument Park Stake Center, 1300 South Wasatch Drive. Friends may call the night before, Tuesday Dec. 11th, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, and also at the Stake Center one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Lorna H. Matheson Fund for the Humanities at the University of Utah College of Humanities, 540 Arapeen Dr., Suite 250, SLC, Utah, 84108