Marblehead….

Emma G. Matheson, age 94, wife of the late John A. Matheson of Marblehead, died Sunday evening, June 29, 2008 in the Lafayette Nursing Home, Marblehead.

Born in Pembroke, MA the daughter of the late Victor A. and Matilda (Lapine) Pilon, she was raised and educated in Watertown. Following her graduation from Watertown High School, Mrs. Matheson attended business school and became and executive secretary. She was first employed as a secretary by Boston Gas Company. Later, she was the Executive Secretary to Dr. Charles Storey in Salem after over 20 years and had also operated her own home catering business.

An active mother and grandmother, she was very involved with her family's activities and had been a Girl Scout Leader for 10 years. She was also passionate about animals, enjoyed her cats and was a strong supporter of the Marblehead Female Humane Society.
President Bill Clinton had recognized Mrs. Matheson for her interest in the Underground Railroad.

Mrs. Matheson was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church and is known by all for her love of Marblehead. Since she didn't have a driver's license, she was frequently seen walking around town, enjoying the water, being at the beach and swimming.

She is survived by a daughter Judith A. Thurston and her partner James F. Libby of Arundel, ME; four grandchildren Andrew Faulkner Parsons of Brighton, MA, Mark Matheson Parsons and his wife Kathleen of North Waterboro, ME, Heather Elizabeth Parsons of Brighton, MA and Hannah Virginia Goodwin and her husband Bruce of South Portland, ME; four great grandchildren Benjamin Parsons of North Waterboro, ME, Emma Noel Goodwin and Kate Goodwin both of South Portland, ME and Ian Parsons of Brighton, MA and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by three brothers Victor, Theodore and William Pilon and two sisters Beatrice Vacca and Cecelia Norcross.

Her funeral will be held on Thursday at 11:00 A.M. in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be in Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead. At the family's request there are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Marblehead Female Humane Society Inc., P.O. Box 425 Marblehead, MA 01945-2927 or to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA 01970. For online guest book or additional information please contact the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St, Salem at www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978 744 0497.