L. Aileen Matthews

LELAH AILEEN MATTHEWS, age 87, of Bel Air, MD, passed peacefully in her home on August 17, 2008. She was born in Salina, KS, and the daughter of the late Homer and Lelah Jewell. She was married and the wife of the late LTC (Ret) Eric F. Matthews for 54 years. As an army wife, she lived many places throughout the United States and Germany. During her husband's last assignment at Fort Holabird, MD, she was the President of the Officers' Wives Club and extremely active in planning and participating in numerous events for military wives. After her husband retired from the army in 1962, the family settled in Bel Air. She enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, sewing and playing the piano. At the age of 72, after 24 years of service, she retired from working as the Administrative Assistant for the APG Chaplains, both in the Edgewood and Aberdeen areas. She loved her job and helping others, always saying "her job was not a job, but a privilege." Throughout the years, she was dearly cherished by all the chaplains and their families. She was affectionately referred to as "Mother Superior" by all who knew her there. Aileen was a charter member of Christ Our King Church and in the early years, before a church was constructed, she played the organ for services held in the basement of Reverend Eugene Peterson's home. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be genuinely missed by all that knew her.

She is survived by her daughter; Elaine Macko of Bel Air, MD; a son, Dr. George Matthews of Garden City, KS; three grandchildren, Stephen Macko and wife, Melissa, of Bel Air, MD, Angela Wilkerson and husband, Nick, of Dallas, TX, and Kristen Matthews of Kansas City, KS; one great-grandchild, Kalayna Macko of Bel Air, MD; brother, Delbert Jewell and wife, Dorothy, of Webster Grove, MO; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Christ Our King Presbyterian Church, 10 Lexington Road, Bel Air, MD 21014.