Mary Elizabeth Matthews

Mary Beth Matthews, the joy of our lives, went Home to be with her Savior on Friday, February 21, 2025, after having lived a life full of love, kindness and faith. She was the delight of every gathering with her grace, beauty, wisdom, strength, and laughter. Her generous spirit and compassion were qualities that were cherished and treasured by all who knew her. She was 89 years of age.

Mary Beth Minahan was born in San Antonio, Texas on February 4, 1936, the third child of James Leo Minahan and Pauline Frances (Vallejo) Minahan. The family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where Mary Beth attended grade-through-middle school at Our Lady of Victory Catholic School. After four years at Paschal High School in Fort Worth, she attended college at the University of Texas in Austin for two and a half years where she majored in Business Administration and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. She spent an additional semester at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

In 1955, at the age of 19, and when home from college over Christmas break, a friend of Mary Beth’s planned a “blind” double-date. Their date was on December 25th, Christmas night, and was filled with mishaps – one of the first being the challenge of finding anything open on the holiday. That was a minor inconvenience compared to the two fender-benders her date got into with his cherry-red, white-topped convertible Chevy Bel Air. One was the result of a pole that happened to be “in the way” when her date put the car in reverse. Later, at a stop light, a sports car next to them revved his engine … a temptation her date couldn’t resist. Off they went, drag racing down the street until the two cars decided to sideswipe each other. Over the years, when recalling this night, Mary Beth would quip that she wasn’t sure what to think of this fella … no doubt! But when she got home (safely) that Christmas night, she looked in the mirror and said, “I’m going to marry that man.” Steve Matthews and Mary Beth were married two and a half years later in 1958 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Following their wedding, Mary Beth joined Steve in Altus, Oklahoma, where he was stationed in the Air Force. While there, they started a family with the birth of Patricia Ann in 1959 and Stephen Clark, Jr. in 1960. Steve’s assignments took them to Wiesbaden, Germany, San Antonio, Texas, and finally Denver, Colorado where they remained. Mary Beth had successful careers as an Administrative Assistant at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and Personnel Director/Vice President at Wells Fargo Ag Credit. In 1989, she decided to change her career path and became a real estate agent and broker. She worked for several firms before she and Steve started Matthews Team Realty in 2001 as Broker Owners. They retired 11 years later in 2012.

Mary Beth found deep joy as her family grew through marriages and grandchildren. She enjoyed cherished moments with friends and family - especially her beloved Steve, the love of her life. They adored each other throughout their 63 years of marriage, living life to the fullest. Now, they are together in Eternity.

Mary Beth will be remembered for her passionate love of the Lord. For the last twenty or so years of her life, she became involved in ministry and Bible studies. She developed a gift during these years … the gift of writing profoundly meaningful prayers, deep reflections, and fun musings with God as the focus. She had a loving and caring attitude toward others and blessed countless friends and family with her quiet strength, wisdom, grace, kindness and always with the perfect words at the perfect time. Mary Beth was always there when she saw a need. She was often called an angel on earth by friends and family, alike. Her niece, Mary Ann, once wrote words that beautifully capture her spirit: “She has always had such a beautiful combination of strength and humility, independence and open heartedness, vibrance and gentleness. I have admired her my whole life.”

Mary Beth was one of those rare souls we aspire to emulate. She ran the good race. We can hold onto 2 Timothy 4:6-8 with her in mind: “For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance”. No doubt, Mary Beth is radiant in Heaven, adorned with that righteous crown of glory.

Mary Beth leaves behind a family grateful for the gift of love and life she gave each of us: her daughter, Trish and husband, Mark Kreutz of Highlands Ranch, CO; her son, Steve and wife, Denise Matthews of Littleton, CO; and her grandchildren, John Manzanares, Brandon Kreutz and Macy Kreutz. Mary Beth is predeceased by her husband, Stephen Clark Matthews, her sister, Patricia Kennedy (Joe), her brother, Jerry Minahan (Barbara), her nephew, Jimmy Minahan, and her great nephew, Patrick Kennedy. She is also survived by nieces, Paula Minahan, Kathleen Franey (Matt), and Mary Ann Simmons (Clint), and nephews, Danny Kennedy, Mickey Kennedy (Kristi), Paul Kennedy, Larry Kennedy (Tammy), Thomas Kennedy, Greg Kennedy (Christina), Mark Minahan (Brenda), and all of their wonderful children and grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM on Tuesday, March 11, at Pax Christi Catholic Church, 10675 Jaguar Drive, Lone Tree CO 80124. The Mass will be preceded by an optional rosary at 10:15 AM for those who wish to attend. Interment will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery in a private ceremony on March 13.