Folsom Funeral Service

Doris M. (MacArthur) Matheson, of Westboro, and formerly of Dedham, passed away on Wednesday, May 11th, 2011 at the Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Westborough after a long illness.  During her final days she had many visits from her loving family who brought so much joy to her life.  Doris was born April 17, 1922 in Watertown, Massachusetts, the daughter of Lester and Maybelle (Elkins) MacArthur.  She was a graduate of Watertown High School.  Doris and her husband “Bob” lived on Crane Street in Dedham for 50 years in the cape style home that they had built in 1953 to raise their family upon moving from Watertown.  Her family, neighbors, and friends were her life and she took much joy in knowing every detail of their lives, and always enjoyed their visits.  Feeding you or beating you in a “friendly” game of Skipbo were two of her favorite pastimes.  She worked for many years at the Dedham Medical Associates, in charge of record keeping in the days before computers, where her incredible attention to detail was invaluable.  In retirement, she and Bob were most fortunate to have a healthy and active life together traveling to Scotland, cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska, yearly winter trips down the coast to Florida, and many trips with Bob’s sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Herbert Voss.  Their trips to Florida were particularly enjoyable with visits from children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  And who could forget her and Bob crisscrossing the state in search of her many cousins.  Swift’s Beach every summer, the Chicken House Restaurant, and the Clam Shack were her favorites.  Doris used her phone to keep everybody informed, and would spend many hours each week bringing us up to date on the family comings and goings.  To know Doris was to love her, and her loss leaves us with so many cherished memories of her life and love.  She was predeceased in 2001 by her husband, the love of her life, David “Bob” Matheson, to whom she had been married for 58 years.  Doris, Wife, Mother, Grandma, Ma, Auntie Dorie and Sister-in-law is survived by her son  David Matheson III, and his wife Patricia, of Westford; her daughter, Jean Dewar, and her husband Peter, of Grafton; and her son Jack Matheson, and his wife Charyl, of Freeport, Maine.  She is slso survived by her grandchildren, Jennifer Matheson of Cambridge, Christie Matheson, and her husband Will Adams, of San Francisco, CA, Seth Matheson, and his wife Melissa, of Charlestown, Matthew Dewar, and his wife Lisa, of West Boylston, Benjamin Dewar, and his wife Courtney, of Bellingham, and Kelsey, Parker, and Theo Matheson, all of Freeport, Maine; her great grandchildren, Matthew “Mattie” Dewar and Lily Dewar, both of West Boylston, and Ellie Adams, and Jack Adams, both of San Francisco, California; her dear nieces, Merle Chase, Joyce Siano, and her husband Joe; as well as other nieces and nephews, and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Betty and Herbert Voss of Wareham.  Doris was the sister of the late William “Sonny” MacArthur, the late Curtis “Mike” MacArthur, the late Marion Chase, and the late Elaine “Babe” Crooker.

Doris’ family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the staff at Whitney Place and Beaumont Rehab and Skilled Nursing Center in Westborough for the tender and loving care that they have provided Doris for nearly eight years.

Visitation with Doris’ family will be held Friday, May 13, 2011 from 10 to 11 AM at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton Street, Dedham followed by her funeral service at 11 o clock.  Burial will be in Brookdale Cemetery in Dedham.  In lieu of flowers donations to the Alzheimers Association of Eastern Massachusetts, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472 would be appreciated.

Comments(3)