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Sandra Mathews Obituary
Sandra Mathews passed away peacefully on the evening of January 13, 2015, at home, in the loving presence of her sister and daughter. Born in Olympia in 1941 to Benjamin and Marilois Nason, Sandy is survived by siblings Julianne, James, and Bob Nason; daughters Heather, Anne, Elizabeth, and Diana Mathews; sons-in-law Steven Arntson, Nick Tamburro, and Matthew Allen; and granddaughters Audrey and Isabella Allen and Ellery Mathews-Tamburro. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and -nephews, and brothers- and sisters-in-law. Her beloved husband of forty-one years, Kenneth E. Mathews Jr., predeceased her by four years. Her sister Gloria Miller predeceased her in 2014.
Sandy earned her MSW from the University of Washington, and later established an independent psychotherapy practice in Bellevue, where she worked until retiring in 2012. She was a great appreciator of beauty and a fine artist whose illustrations and whose backyard garden of native, ornamental, and edible plants were enjoyed by her friends and family. Sandy's empathy and interest in helping others informed her dedication to progressive politics; she championed the rights of gay and lesbian couples to marry in Washington State and phone-banked for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential run.
Sandy will be remembered by her family and friends for her unfailing kindness, quick and open mind, large-hearted enthusiasms, and insightful emotional intuition; she will also be remembered by the numerous couples and individuals she helped in her decades of work as a mental health therapist. She will be dearly missed by all whose lives she enriched with her gentle grace and spirit of compassion.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sandra Mathews
Sponsored by The Family.
Bill
January 14, 2025
Sandy's light permeates my spirit universe of fondest feelings and deepest regard, way beyond others' perception.
Julianne Nason
February 4, 2021
I've now experienced the too-early losses of my father, mother, brother-in-law (Sandy's husband, the first of our generation to die), both sisters, my beloved eldest niece and "first baby," and several dear friends and pets. But death has not ended our relationships. Memories and understanding continue to grow and bring consolation. Sandy was so important to my entry into womanhood, always urging me to treat myself like my own dear friend, and not to compare myself with others but to appreciate the person I am. She gave my adored son a life-saving gift at a particularly difficult time. We were very different but very loving sisters. My Sandy, I miss you.
February 23, 2015
Sandy was a treasured member of our professional group, and she will be missed so very much. She brought comfort and guidance to so many, and enriched countless lives. Sandy, you will always live in our hearts and minds.
-Karyn MacKenzie, MSW, LICSW
WSSCSW
Eli Lemanski
February 20, 2015
Sandy was one of the most important figures in my life and her influence will continue to live well beyond my lifetime.
Susan Harmon
February 20, 2015
Sandy was my rock. She supported me emotionally for many years and allowed me the privilege of knowing a part of her personal life as well. She was beautiful on many different levels and I will miss her greatly.
Steven Arntson
February 4, 2015
A few years ago my wife Anne (Sandy's daughter) and I were helping Sandy pick up a used bed and mattress in Seattle. It was at night, cold, and raining. We arrived at the house where we were going to pick up the bed, and Anne went inside leaving Sandy and I in the car. At that time I was struggling with revisions on a novel that was having trouble getting through its publication cycle. I was in the dumps, and not feeling well-understood by the other people who were in the process with me.
I started telling Sandy about it all while Anne was inside. Over the course of thirty minutes, Sandy more or less gave me a full counselling session, providing me with some great encouragement and ideas to help myself endure. It was an important moment, and funny to think back on how much I was helped by Sandy in a moment when I was supposedly helping her. She was always a generous spirit, and had real skill in her chosen field. I'm lucky to have been her son in law.
Sandra marrying Kenneth (b. 1942- d. 2011), her husband of forty-one years, in 1970
February 4, 2015
Anne Mathews
February 4, 2015
Sandy was funny, brilliant, perceptive, empathetic, affectionate, tough as steel, progressive, open-minded, curious about the world and about others, generous, and almost unfailingly gentle and kind. It was my tremendous good luck to have her as a mother, and also as a friend. I will miss her terribly and celebrate her always.
Age 2
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 18 - Cap and gown
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 4
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 0
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 3
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Prettiest
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 0 - Sunbrite Cleanser
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Sisters
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 24 - First marriage
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 17
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 15
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 18 - Graduation suit
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 11
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 8
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 5 - Stripes
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 9
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 6
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Age 14
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
Still a beauty
Julianne Nason
January 24, 2015
January 22, 2015
May the God of peace supply comfort to all your family and friends as we reflect on His promise to wipe away every tear from our eyes and to do away with death and pain and sorrow forever.
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