Helen Matthews

Madison - Helen A. Matthews, age 93, of Madison, WI, died Sunday, April 24, 2022. She was the daughter of Alfred and Anne (Lamey) Barger. On September 16, 1950, she married Timothy T. Matthews at Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church in Oregon, WI.

Helen valued a strong work ethic. She grew up working with her siblings on a dairy farm in Oregon, WI. Her fondest memories were of caring for her many younger brothers and sisters. Helen worked at Siberz, Purcell, and Cuthbert in the 1970s, where she was a secretary to the firm's Modern Movement architects. She also worked for Krueger, Shutter, and Associates, where her admiration for mid-century architecture and design continued throughout her life.

Helen switched career paths and joined Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority as a respected paralegal. For 30 years, her attention to detail and keen memory was a strong asset to Wisconsin developers who were committed to bringing affordable housing projects to the state. Helen's stellar work career with the state ended with her retiring at the age of 88, holding the record for the oldest retiring employee.

Helen is survived by her sons, Timothy J. Matthews of Madison, Gregory J. (Denise) Matthews M.D. Of Mequon, WI; and a daughter, Maria (Wayman) Lawrence of Madison; six grandchildren, Sophie Janus of Madison, Desmond Lawrence of Minneapolis, MN, Michael, Anna, and Sarah Matthews of Mequon, WI, and Cody Matthews of Madison; brothers, Edward (Barbara) Barger and Roger (Jennifer) Barger; sisters, Lois (Richard) Bradley and Kathleen (Charles) Rowley, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, John, Emmett, and Raymond, sisters Evelyn, Margaret, and Mary, and her beloved grandson Robert Janus.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 405 S. Owen Dr., Madison, on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with Msgr. Larry Bakke presiding. A visitation will be held at church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Edgewood High School. A special thanks to the wonderful staff at Beehive Homes of Oregon for the loving and compassionate care they extended to Helen.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Road

(608) 238-3434