Hazel Matthai

Mrs. Hazel M. Cowin Matthai age 89, of Murray, Kentucky, died Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at N.H.C. Facility in Franklin, Tennessee. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Matthai was born on August 17, 1926, in Fulton, KY to John Wayne Meacham and Nancy Jane Meacham. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband James Matthai, and the father of her children, Joseph Cowin.
Her loving daughters Nancy Knight and partner Patti Dunlap of Fairfax County, VA and Carolyn Miner and husband Ken of Franklin, TN will greatly miss her.. Step-children: Britt Matthai, Claudia Carson, and Paul Matthai. A sister, Jane Cheatham and a niece, Lisette Widmer, of Germantown, TN are her immediate family. Her beloved five grandchildren are Angela Matthew, Franklin, TN; Steve Knight, Raleigh, NC; Sheila Weiss, Castle Rock, CO; Justin Knight, Woodbridge, VA, and Ashley Stahl, Oshkosh, WI. Twelve wonderful great grandchildren complete her family circle. A special companion and friend for the past few years is Barbara Naugle.
From a Fulton farm's one room school house, she achieved educational success thru Fulton High School and then Murray State University, graduating from that college in two years time. Later her educational accomplishments included MA degrees in Education from the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY and in Mathematics from the University of IL, Champagne-Urbana, IL.
Mrs. Matthai's professional career ranged from being a high school math teacher at Lafayette High School, Lexington, Ky and The Murray Training School, Murray, KY to concluding as a tenured professor of Mathematics at Murray State University.
In addition to her family and career lives, Mrs. Matthai enjoyed the MSU faculty and associates dinners and bridge games at friends' homes and the basketball games of the Racers. She was an excellent seamstress and avid bird watcher; as well as a square dancer and ballroom dancing competitor with local associations. She participated in years of activities and circle meetings at the First United Methodist Church. Before retirement, while living near Kentucky Lake, she enjoyed the New Concord Homemakers Group. Her interests were her family, flowers, gardening, and quiet reflection. For many years, Mr. and Mrs. Matthai traveled independently and with local tour groups extensively in Europe and throughout the U.S>
On Saturday, September 19th, at 1:00 p.m. a visitation with family and a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. will be held at J.H. Churchill Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Stahler and Dr. Rick Dye officiating. Burial will follow immediately in the Murray Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Geosciences Scholarship Fund in memory of James Matthai, at MSU, Ordway Hall, North 15th St, Murray, KY 42071; the Alzheimer's Association, 4525 Trousdale Dr., Suite 220, Nashville, TN 37220; or the general fund of the First United Methodist Church of Murray, 503 Maple St, Murray, KY 42071.
Online condolences can be left at www.thejhchurchillfunrealhome.com

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