Obituary of Charlene Matson-Ryan

Charlene W. Matson-Ryan "Loving Mother and Nana" Allegany, NY Charlene W. Matson-Ryan, a former longtime resident of Cuba Lake and recently of 20 Elm St. passed away Wednesday (March 16, 2011) in the Bradford Ecumenical Home in Bradford, PA where she had resided for the past year and a half. Born February 25, 1932 in Olean she was the daughter of Charles and Geraldine W. Lyman Matson. Ms Matson was a 1950 graduate of Olean High School and also the Bryant and Stratton Business Institute. She later resided in Buffalo for sixteen years prior to moving to Cuba Lake in 1970. While raising her family she also helped in the family businesses for many years. She was a former member of Our Lady of Angels Church in Cuba and its Altar Society. She was also a former member of the Niagara Frontier Builder's Association Auxiliary in Buffalo. She enjoyed swimming at the Olean YMCA and helping others through her volunteer work with the Olean General Hospital Auxiliary Sewing Club. She was a member of the Cuba Lake Cottage Owners Association and through her love of knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, cross-stitch and sewing she made friends as a member of the Cuba Lake Craft Club. She loved to color with pencil and enjoyed word searches later in life. Surviving are three daughters and a son Maureen (Don) Cordier of Sugarland, TX and Patrick (Nancy) Ryan, Kathleen Ryan and Colleen (Ted) Sandburg, all of Allegany; nine grandchildren Jacqueline Cordier, Christine Cordier, Michelle Cordier, Timothy Ryan, Sean Ryan, Jennie Ryan, Amanda Sandburg, Rachael Sandburg and Caitlin Sandburg; two brothers Charles (Barbara) Matson of Michigan and Gary (Dawn) Matson of Naples, FL and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Thomas John Ryan and a brother Eugene Matson who died at the age of seven. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean this evening from 5-8pm. Funeral services will be held Friday (March 18, 2011) beginning with a prayer service at 1:00pm at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30pm at St. Bonaventure Church. Rev. Richard Husted, OFM, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Cuba. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of WNY 2805 Wehrle Dr. Suite 6, Williamsville, NY 14221-7380.