Barbara Ann Matthews, 87, of Sweet Home went to her heavenly father on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. She will joyfully join her loving husband Gerald Matthews, her grandsons Nick Tyree and Ryan Matthews, and parents John and Theresa Conrado.

Born in Santa Cruz on July 30, 1936, she developed a love of gardening from her father that continued through her life. A new life began when she met her husband, Jerry. They married and later moved their growing family to Sweet Home. They joined the local Catholic church, laid down roots, and lived a beautiful life of “no regrets.”

Her children remember her as a force of good who made them feel supported and loved throughout their lives. She taught them valuable lessons and showed them the kind of person they wanted to be.

Her grandkids remember that she filled her home with games to play, her garden with strawberries to eat, and her fridge with snacks to enjoy. She taught them to play cards and Bingo, to say the rosary, and took them to church on Sundays.

Barb’s quiet mission to ensure that everyone around her felt unconditional love and acceptance was wildly successful. To know her truly was to love her and to be loved by her.

A life well-loved is the truest way to sum up the life of this special person. She had a laugh, a hug, a kind word for every person she met. Barb made you feel unmistakably important. The legacy left behind by this amazing woman is one of complete love, joy, and acceptance. The world would be a much kinder, gentler, and more joyful place if everyone was just a little more like Barbara.

She is survived by her sister Mary and brother John, as well as her proudest accomplishments, her three children, Teri Matthews, Lori Matthews-Kumm and husband Brad, Jerry and wife Chrissy Matthews, 6 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, her 2 God-children Megan and Johnny 5.

Funeral service will be held at St. Helens Catholic Church in Sweet Home. The rosary service will begin at 10:30 am on Thursday, March 7th. Funeral mass will begin at 11 am. Final burial to follow at Gilliland Cemetery. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com.