Mary Joanne Jameson Mathews

Mary Jameson Mathews, 85, of Waitsburg, WA. Passed away on February 9, 2026, in College Place, WA, after a brief illness.

Mary was born in Green Bay, WI, to Charles Parker Eastman and Irene Bachman Eastman on April 22, 1940. At a young age, she moved with her mother, father, and older sister to Fond Du Lac, WI. Mary attended B.F. Goodrich High School and graduated in 1958. After High School, she went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. After completing college, Mary was later employed by the Green Giant Co. in Le Sueur, MN, working in the laboratory. It was here she formed lifelong friendships and met Robert “Bob” Jameson.

Bob and Mary were married in Fond Du Lac, WI, on May 17, 1969. They made their home in Hutchinson, MN, and welcomed their son, Jeffrey, in February 1970. In 1971, they moved out west to Waitsburg, WA, for Bob’s job with Green Giant. In May of 1973, their daughter, Jennifer, was born. Mary was an active member of St. Mark’s Altar Society. She volunteered in her young children’s activities, which included Blue Birds, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and 4-H—often shuttling a Volkswagen Bus full of kids to some activity, camp, or sporting event. When her children were young, she had in-home childcare for many years. And every five years, she would take a trip back to the Midwest for her class reunion and family visits. In the mid 1980’s, Bob and Mary took ownership of the Jackpot store in Waitsburg, running B&M groceries until 1992. In 1993, Mary worked for the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin as a district circulation manager, overseeing the routes of paper delivery carriers. In 1999, Bob passed away after a long illness, during which she remained a faithful and loving caregiver. She retired from the Union-Bulletin in 2003. Mary went on to volunteer in the school cafeteria at Waitsburg Elementary. As well as St. Vincent’s in Dayton, now called All Saints for the last ten years. Mary was a lifelong knitter and always had a good book to read, including completing the Women’s Bible Study Fellowship.

In 2005, Mary found friendship and love again with Tom Mathews. Deacon Mike Brier performed their marriage at his chapel in the Blue Mountains on Apri 22, 2006. They were together until Tom passed away in 2018.

In her later years, she found one of her greatest joys in becoming a grandmother. That role brought her profound happiness and a renewed sense of wonder. Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished so deeply.

Mary held a deep love for God, Jesus Christ, the earth, and for all living creatures. Animals were drawn to her gentle spirit-dogs, cats, birds- each one found a patient and devoted friend. A staunch environmentalist (Earth Day Birthday) long before it was common.

She nurtured not only with care and protection, but with imagination and heart. Whether through cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, or tending flowers and plants, she will be remembered for her gentleness, her faith and strength of conviction, and the quiet yet powerful way she moved through this world.

Mary is survived by her son, Jeff (Siobhan), Avery, and Quinn; daughter, Jennifer (Tony), Weylan, and Willie; mother-in-law, Nancy Mathews; brother-in-law, Tim Mathews (Gail); and the extended Mathews Family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Barbara Hungate; husband, Bob Jameson; husband, Tom Mathews; and mother-in-law, Betty Jameson.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Waitsburg, WA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Mountain Humane Society through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.