SCOTT, Matthew J.

Matthew J. Scott, 97, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2004 surrounded by his loving wife, faithful sister, five devoted daughters, and other dedicated family members. Born January 4, 1907 in Leadville, Colorado to Edward and Katherine Scott, his family moved to Arizona in 1911 and he was raised in Douglas. He graduated from Douglas High School in 1924, and then moved to Bisbee where he married Helena Marks (Gyp) in 1930, and moved on to Tucson and settled in Phoenix in 1935. Matt was always devoted to helping others throughout his life. In addition to being a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Matt was a member of many humanitarian organizations including: The Boy Scouts of America, St. Mary's Dad's Club and Parents' Club and ran their Bingo Night on Wednesdays for over 25 years, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, Christian Conference on Adults and Youth Problems, and the Arizona Public Employees Association. Most importantly, and close to his heart, was his work with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, of which he was a founding member in Maricopa County and in the State of Arizona. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul named a hall in his honor. His dedication to helping those in need presented him with the opportunity to be awarded many special honors, including a nomination for the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Award in 2002, the first recipient of the St. Vincent de Paul Dan O'Meara Extraordinary Service Award, and the Quarter Century Catholic Families Community Services, Diocese of Phoenix Award. Matt began working for Southern Pacific Railroad in Douglas in 1925, and worked there until he left in 1933 to work for the Internal Revenue Service. Employed by the IRS for nearly 31 years, beginning in Tucson and then completing his tenure in Phoenix, Matt performed a variety of duties including Chief of the Processing Tax Division, Chief of the Collection Division, and Chief of Delinquent Accounts and Returns. He retired from the IRS in 1964. After his career with the IRS, Matt worked for St. Francis Cemeteries, The Bishop's Committee on Special Programs, Arizona State Hospital in the Education Department and the volunteer Services Department, and completed his career at the Arizona State Hospital in the Rehabilitative Therapies Department. Matt was preceded in death by his wife of fifty years, Helena (Gyp); his son Edward Scott; his brothers Johnny Scott and Bill Scott (Rose, deceased); and his sisters Dorothy Park (Ed, deceased) and Margaret Shannon. He is survived by his wife of nearly 22 years, Glennie; his daughters Margaret Ellen Gabaldon (Tony, deceased) Phoenix, AZ, Pat Rush (Phil) Phoenix, AZ. Marion Steingrebe (Ron) Turlock, CA, Cecilia Henderson (Jay) Glendale, AZ and Teresa Jackson (Donald) Turlock, CA; daughter-in-law Carmen of Buena Park, CA; stepdaughters Marie Wright and Barbara Hegarty (Hugh) both of Yuma, AZ; his brother Tom (Mary) Bethesda, MD, and his sister Teresa Scott of Douglas, AZ. He is also survived by 27 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and other loving family members too numerous to name. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 420 W. Watkins Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003 and Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Visitation with a Scripture Service was held at St. Gregory's Church, 3424 N. 18th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ. Funeral Mass was on January 22, 2004 at St. Mary's Basilica, 231 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ with interment at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th Street, Phoenix, AZ. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Arcadia Funeral Home. Published in the Arizona Republic from 1/20/2004 - 1/21/2004.