Carolyn F. Matchefts, age 89, a resident of Colorado Springs since the 1960s, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2022, at her home with her closest loved ones by her side.
Carolyn was a homemaker, a District 11 school secretary, a financial coordinator, and always a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
Carolyn was born on August 26, 1933, in Macon, Georgia to the late George and Eula Mae (Slatton) Hattaway. She graduated high school in Macon, Georgia, and then she moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan to help her brother Charlie Hattaway, who was attending University of Michigan on his way to becoming a psychiatrist. Her brother Charlie was a Sigma Chi brother of John Matchefts, and when Carolyn met John in the Sigma Chi House, she always said it was love at first sight…for him.
Carolyn Hattaway married John Matchefts, of Eveleth, Minnesota in 1953 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, at the University of Michigan. They lived in Barstow, California while John was serving in the United States Marine Corps after college and before beginning his career as a hockey coach. They moved to Thief River Falls, Minnesota, then Eveleth, Minnesota, and then finally settled in Colorado Springs, Colorado in the 1960s. John then became the Colorado College head hockey coach. Carolyn lived a life of hockey and became an avid fan, never missing a CC, or later, an AFA game while John was coaching.
They had an only daughter, Antonia “Toni” in Colorado Springs.
Carolyn is survived by her daughter; Toni, and her granddaughters; Ceresa and Alena, and her grandson; Cael Freehling of Colorado Springs, all of whom she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents; George and Eula Mae Hattaway, her husband; John Matchefts, her brothers; Charles William Hattaway, Frank Hattaway, and Dr. Charles Hattaway, as well as many close friends.
Carolyn Matchefts will be remembered as an outstanding mother, wife, grandma, sister, and friend. To know her was to love her. She was a tender soul, generous, selfless, and loving. She had a great sense of humor and could catch you off guard with her wit. She enjoyed her 20-year career as a financial coordinator for Mark Mills, DDS Orthodontics practice. She was very professional, beautiful, and kind. She loved socializing with friends and family and walking her many dogs (rain or shine.) She was an amazingly supportive mother and grandmother and was always there to cheer during many dance recitals of her daughters and granddaughters as well as her grandson’s hockey games.
A Liturgy of the Word will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2030 West Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904 (mailing address: 2021 West Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904).
A Meal of Compassion will follow the service onsite.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Carolyn Matchefts name may be made to the Mile High Husky Rescue at www.mhhr.org/donate or Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
I'm so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. She was always such a kind sweet lady and I loved working with her at Dr. Mills office.
21 Dec 2022I’m so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. She was always such a kind sweet lady and I loved working with her at Dr. Mills office.
Carolyn Turner
21 Dec 2022What a beautiful tribute to Your Mom, she was a very special lady. It was a pleasure to know her! Please accept our condolences Toni, Ceresa, Aleana and Cael. Hugs and lots of love from the Turner family.
Holly Baldwin
22 Dec 2022Carolyn was such a sweet and beautiful person. She always made me feel loved and welcomed any time I saw her. She kept us all laughing with her witty remarks and lighthearted disposition. I admired how devoted and supportive she always was to her family, attending every event, show, game.. She will be so greatly missed by all of us who were lucky enough to know and love her.
Athena Baschal
28 Dec 2022I love every word of your beautiful Mama’s life story! My favorite memories of her will always be of she and my mom sitting in the front row of countless recitals oohing and aahing over their daughters’ dances! They will forever be our most loyal Dance Moms!
Sending you, Toni, and your beautiful children, so much love.
God bless you ~
Athena Baschal and family
Chantel K.
31 Dec 2022Sending our love and support to your family Toni. What a special person she was, even though I didn’t know her well, her love and spirit is reflected in you and your children. Love to you all, Kamlan family