Sister Mary Matthew Griffith, Csjp Obituary (1928

Sister Mary Matthew Griffith, CSJP, 1928-2013 Sister Mary Matthew Griffith, CSJP, a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace, died peacefully on March 12, 2013 after suffering a stroke. Anna Marie Griffith, (Sister Mary Matthew) was born on February 18, 1928 in Bellingham, Washington. She was the daughter of Florence and L.E. Griffith. She entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in Bellingham, WA in 1949 and professed perpetual vows in 1954. Sister Mary Matthew was a woman of many talents and extraordinary energy-- all devoted in service to Jesus Christ and the people of God as a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace. She received a B.A. in Education from Seattle University and a M.A. in theology from Notre Dame. From 1950 to 1964 Sister Mary Matthew served as a teacher at St. Rose School, Longview, Sacred Heart School, Bellevue, and St. Mary School, Corvallis, OR. After completion of her Ph.D. course work at Catholic University, she taught theology and ministered as a catechetical trainer in Washington State and the Alaska missions. Music was an important part of Sister Mary Matthew's life. She was a classically trained pianist and violinist, playing with the high school orchestra in 3rd grade and Western Washington Symphony while in Junior High. Sister Mary Matthew also had a ham radio license and a pilot's license. For many years Sister Mary Frances Hackman, CSJP, now deceased, was the devoted companion of Sister Mary Matthew in catechetical, charismatic and prayer ministry. They were known and loved by many in the Northwest and beyond. Following Sister Mary Frances' death in 1997 she was joined in her ministry by Kathy Moore. In recent years her ministry has been centered at St. Mary Parish, Anacortes, Washington. In reflecting on her life, she shared: "I entered religious life and I am a Sister today because Jesus Christ is real to me. I am convinced that I am loved and I need to share that love." She will be missed by her nephews, James, John, Peter and Joseph Griffith and many grandnieces and nephews and great grandnieces and nephews. The Vigil Service is Monday, March 18th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary-on-the-Lake in Bellevue, WA. The Funeral Mass will also be at St. Mary-on-the-Lake on Tuesday, March 19th at 11:00 a.m.followed by the burial at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery. There will be a Memorial Service at 11:00 A.M. March 21st, at St. Mary, Anacortes, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 248, Bellevue, WA 98009.