Ginny Matson

Mary Virginia (Ginny) DeCaindry Matson passed away, Tuesday, January 24, 2023.  She was born in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania in 1938.  Ginny grew up in Swarthmore, and lived sixteen years in Fredericksburg, VA before retiring to Panama City, Florida in 1993. 

Ginny received her BS in Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University in 1959 the same year she was married to her husband, Raymond Eugene Matson.  She was a proud military wife and traveled to many military bases across the United States over the 24 years of Ray’s active duty.  

Ginny was a very social and active minded person.  She loved entertaining, music, the arts, choral singing, traveling, and playing bridge.  An avid reader and lifelong learner, she became a school librarian and paralegal and often took classes at the local college to study art history, and Shakespeare. She volunteered at many hospitals and civic organizations including most recently The Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida and the Bay Arts Alliance.  She was a talented pianist and craftsperson who enjoyed knitting, quilting, and sewing. 

Fond remembrances from her family include her excellent cooking and culinary explorations, which embraced the best of cuisines from around the world, especially French and Asian.  Ginny enjoyed sharing recipes and her culinary expertise with her children and grandchildren.

Ginny is survived by husband of 64 years, Ray; son, Alex (Stacey), and daughter, Susan Relihan (Bud); grandchildren: Zoe Matson, David (Alice), Augie and Andrew Relihan.  Ginny was a loving wife, mother, and devoted grandmother. 

A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church at 10:00 am, Monday, March 13, 2023, at the small chapel with a reception to follow.  The burial will be held at Jacksonville National Cemetery at 2:30 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Ginny Matson to the Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida, 308 Airport Road, Panama City, FL  32405 OR www.Venmo.com/Science-discovery.