Janet Matthews Obituary

Janet Marie Matthews, age 49, answered her call from God on July 4th, 2022. Born to Julius and Cheryl Matto at KU Med Center. She grew up in Leavenworth surrounded by the love and support of her close-knit family, grandparents, aunts & uncles, and many cousins. Janet graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1991, earning National Honor Society recognition and several academic scholarships. This led her to attend the University of Kansas and graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Languages. While there, she met the love of her life, Daniel Matthews. They soon wed on October 5th, 1996, in Leavenworth, Kansas and resided in Lawrence, where she began her next mission of positively touching the lives of everyone she met.

The love Janet and Dan shared led to the birth of their first son Parkerson and 6 years later they were blessed with their second son Walter. The two boys led Janet into volunteering for many active roles. These would include PTO, Scholastic Book fairs, and carnivals for Woodlawn Elementary School, various roles in Scouting, from active parent to Pack Committee Chair of Cub Pack 3052 and founding Scoutmaster of Troop 6059, Pelathe District, supporting her boys and many others from the ranks of Lion through Eagle Scout where she received many achievements and awards for her efforts.

Janet was a devout Christian and member of the First Christian Church of Leavenworth growing up. Once settled down with her loving husband, Janet transferred her membership to the First Christian Church of Lawrence. She was extremely active in volunteering her time and efforts with the church. She was directly involved with the Christian Women's Fellowship, the Bread Ministry (to help feed the hungry), she helped organize funeral dinners for families that had lost loved ones, and actively participated in serving in the LINK program (Lawrence Interdenominational Food Kitchen).

Janet loved music. She played the clarinet through college and was a member of the KU Marching Band and the Symphonic Orchestra. She also enjoyed playing the piano, with her favorite church hymns being what she loved to play. In addition to music, she enjoyed reading, with her favorites being biblical literature and classical history. She also enjoyed playing table games with friends and family and will be sorely missed around the Scrabble board.

Janet was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Julius and Elizabeth Matto, her maternal grandparents, Norman and Lela Swartz and her sister Susan Renee.

Janet is survived in death by her husband Dan, two sons Parker (Jessica) and Walter, mother and father Julius and Cheryl Matto, siblings Russell Matto (Renee), Sarah Moyer (Kerry), Doug (Helen), Young, nieces and nephews: Hyung, Daniel (Lauren), Edward, Miles, Mark, Luke, Anna, Kailee, Cheyenne, and Chris. Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and her fur-babies Joy and Jo-Jo.

A memorial for her Lawrence family and friends will be held Sunday, August 21st, at 4pm at Lawrence First Christian Church, followed by a light meal afterward in the Fellowship Hall, allowing those who wish to share their memories and remembrances of Janet to do so.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Lawrence, 1000 Kentucky St., Lawrence, KS 66044 to benefit the Christian Women's Fellowship (CWF)