Marion Matthews

Marion Patricia Matthews, 86, of West Chester, passed away on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. The love of her life and husband of 51 years, Dallas Edward Matthews welcomed Marion to heaven with open arms, waiting these past five years to be reunited with his “Patty”.

Marion’s two children, Kelly Matthews and Jennifer Matthews Coyle, were by her side, and feel incredibly blessed to have had her in their lives for so long. She was to them the most loyal protector, devoted cheerleader, and loving mother imaginable.

Born Marion Patricia Kelly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 9, 1937, she was the daughter of Marion Buckley Kelly and Arthur Kelly. The oldest of three daughters, she was like a mom to her two younger sisters, Sheila Kelly (preceded in death) and Diane Buccieri. As a high-achiever who loved school, Marion was offered scholarships for private boarding schools, but her devotion to her family kept her close to home where she attended West Catholic High School. Marion’s ambition to excel continued through her professional life where she built a 30+year career with Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania and held management positions at a time when it wasn’t common for women to be in positions of authority. By those who doubted her ability to lead, she was routinely tested and, ultimately, respected.

Marion’s love for new experiences started at a young age where she was a voracious reader, and in her teens her passion expanded to Philadelphia sports, primarily the Philadelphia Phillies. By that age, she had acquired an extensive collection of baseball cards and worked to earn enough money to buy season tickets to the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium. Marion met Dallas while working at Bell Telephone. They were very different people who shared a few very important passions; namely God, Family, and the Phillies…in exactly that order. In their five decades of marriage, many of Dal and Marion’s summer evenings were filled with family trips to Veterans Stadium to watch the Phillies or listening to Harry Kalas call the games on the radio, and most summer vacations were spent in Ocean City, New Jersey with a transistor radio in the beach bag so as not to miss a game. Marion’s enthusiasm for learning and socializing continued in her retirement years where she volunteered at Chester County Hospital, was part of a neighborhood gardening club and bible study groups, and enjoyed trips to the beach with the ‘dinner club’ as well as abroad visiting countries like England, Ireland, and Greece. Throughout her life, Marion was fortified by her faith as a devout Catholic. She was a longtime member of Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church in West Chester where she actively participated in the church community as a cantor and Eucharistic Minister.

Despite having a childhood filled with considerable challenges, Marion leaned on her faith and very intentionally created a fulfilling future, anchored by her resilience, determination, and compassion for those around her. Marion was the ‘go-to’ person for so many people in her life, and there never seemed to be a problem she couldn’t solve. But more than that, she loved to connect with people, delighted in having fun, and was willing to learn from those around her. As a sophisticated businesswoman who was routinely spruced up in suits with scarf bows and stilettos, Marion might have been described as serious and resolute, but she had a stealthy sense of humor; the kind of humor that sneaks up on you and surprises you in the most fantastic way. Most who knew her well will tell you that Marion was an incredibly easy laugh. In fact, of all of Marion’s amazing gifts to this world, her laugh will likely be the one we miss the most.  

In addition to Dallas and her sister, Sheila, Marion joins loved ones who passed before her like Peter, Jon, David, and the best family dogs ever, Heidi and Aggie, who we are absolutely sure raced one another to meet her at the Rainbow Bridge.

May her memory be a blessing and an example of how to live with an open heart and determined spirit, and above all love your circle of people unconditionally.

Marion’s life will be celebrated during a funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 6, 2023, at Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church at 8 Cavanaugh Court, West Chester, PA 19382. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Funding a Commemorative Bench for Marion and Dallas Matthews in West Chester’s Historic Marshall Square Park

Friends of Marshall Square Park (FMSP) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the care, preservation, and improvement of the park for the benefit of the citizens of the Borough of West Chester. If you choose, you can donate to FMSP which will help fund Marion and Dallas’ commemorative park bench. Beyond the initial cost of the bench, FMSP uses the funds raised for new projects in the park. When completing the donation form, please specify in the comments field "Matthews’ Bench”.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

CRS has been providing expertise and compassion to the most vulnerable of people in more than 100 countries. When completing the donation form, you can specify it is a contribution in memory of Marion Matthews.