Mildred Matzen

Mildred E. “Millie” Matzen (nee Smith), age 90, of Mt. Airy, died Monday May 12, 2008 at Heritage Harbour Health & rehabilitation Center in Annapolis, MD. She was born November 5, 1917 in Kessel, West Virginia; she was the daughter of the late David E. Smith and the late Dorothy Smith (nee Warner). As a young woman, Millie moved to Morgantown, West Virginia, to work as a nanny for Dr. and Mrs. Albert Reese, both professors at West Virginia University, who were lifelong friends. For 25 years, she was a furniture salesperson for O.J. Morrison’s and also worked as a part-time florist. Her first marriage to Arthur “Chick” Rose ended in divorce. After marrying Henry C. Matzen, she left Morgantown because of his naval career and lived in Chinhae, South Korea, and Huntington Beach, California. While in Huntington Beach, she discovered a love for painting and studied art at Coastline College with Gary Savage. Millie won numerous awards for her art, including first prize for a painting of the old Huntington Beach Pier destroyed by a hurricane. She was a prolific painter until the end of her life. Other passions included animals, both wild and domestic, vegetable and flower gardening, hosting dinner parties and her grandchildren. She and her husband moved to Mt. Airy 22 years ago to be near their family. She became a member and officer of the Eastern Star Order in Uniontown. Survivors include Henry C. Matzen, her husband of 45 years, daughter Margaret Rose Caro, son-in-law James Caro, granddaughter Christiana Caro, and grandson Peter Caro of Edgewater, MD; sister Audrey Curry, brother Reuben Smith, and sister-in-law Edith Smith of Moorefield, West Virginia; sister Trixie Howdershell of Berryville, Virginia, sister Dorothy Veach, of San Bernardino, California; sister in law Inge Matzen of Schupfheim, Switzerland; and several long and devoted nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Burrier-Queen Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A. 1212 W. Old Liberty Road, Winfield (Beside South Carroll High School) on Friday from 6-8 PM and Saturday from 2:00-3:00 PM at which time funeral service will begin at 3:00 PM at the funeral home with Pastor Dennis Yocum of Calvary U.M. Church in Mt. Airy officiating. The Plymouth Chapter #41 O.E.S. will have a memorial service at 6:30 PM. Friday at the Funeral Home. Donations in her memory may be made to Susan G. Komen Maryland, 200 East Joppa Road, Suite 407, Towson, MD 21286.
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