Genevabell E. Matthews, 96

Genevabell E. Matthews, 96, passed away on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, at Lake Shore Manor, an adult care home in Lake Stevens, Washington.

She was born March 31, 1920, in Brazil, Indiana, the daughter of Homer and Lucile Matthews.

Genevabell was raised and educated in Columbia Falls and then Polson. She graduated from Polson High School. After high school graduation, she enrolled at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington. She was studying for a degree in education. Shortly thereafter, World War II broke out and she and her family moved to Bremerton, Washington, to work at the Naval Ship Yard. Genevabell’s military job took her to Key Port, a short distance from Bremerton, where she worked at the Naval Torpedo Station. She worked in a shop where she assisted in building and repairing torpedoes. She was the only woman employed at that shop.

After World War II ended, Genevabell continued her government employment by taking a job at the Hanford Nuclear Site. She worked at Hanford from 1945 to 1948. Her parents had moved from Bremerton back to Montana and resided in Missoula. She resigned her position at Hanford and moved to Missoula to be closer to family and relatives. Her first job there was with Consolidated Freightways. She worked at CFW for several years as a payroll secretary. Many of the employees at Consolidated became her longtime friends.

The desire to return to government employment was always in the back of her mind, so she took the civil service exam, applied for government positions, and was hired by the Farmers Home Administration. That assignment took her to Kalispell where she held the position as assistant county supervisor at the North Main U.S. Department of Agriculture offices. Genevabell had the opportunity to travel across the country attending Farm Home financial training workshops. She had many interesting stories about those trips. She eventually retired from that job. After retiring, she moved back to Missoula to provide care for her mother.

Genevabell was an avid bowler. She started bowling at the old two story Liberty Bowling Alley in Missoula as a women’s league bowler. The new Liberty Lanes were built and the leagues moved to that location. Genevabell always looked forward to her Tuesday league bowling. She stopped bowling at the age of 86. Over that time, she won numerous trophies and 200 pins and patches. Many longtime friends were made through her bowling association.

Another highlight of her life was fishing with her mother, father and son. Many memorable fishing trips were made near Missoula on Nine Mile Creek, the Blackfoot River and Cottonwood Creek.

In her later years, her family moved her to a retirement home in Granite Falls, Washington. She enjoyed this facility where she had her own apartment. Again, she made many friends at GenCare Retirement Plaza. As her condition declined, she was moved to an adult care home in Lake Stevens, Washington where she enjoyed looking out over Lake Stevens.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Lucile Matthews, formerly of Missoula; a brother, Charles Matthews, formerly of Missoula; and daughter-in-law, Connie Matthews, formerly of Lake Stevens, Washington.

She is survived by her son, Stephen Matthews, of Granite Falls, Washington; granddaughters, Megan Welle-Pepe and Melissa Evanoff, both of Kalispell; and stepgrandchildren, Hope Struck of Kent, Washington, and Tim Jorgenson of Seattle.

At her request, no services will be held.

Cremation and arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives, Marysville, Washington.