Barbara Oleva (Matthews) Gordon

Barbara Oleva Mathews was born on February 23rd, 1931 in Allyn, WA. and passed peacefully at home on July 8th, 2022 in Sammamish, Wa. Her parents were William and Fairy OlevaMatthews. She was the 5th of 6 children. There were 4 bothers and a sister. Her early years were spent in a logging camp outside Shelton WA. where dad was a logger and her mom cooked for them. Barb would share her fond memories she had of the all the fun she and her siblings shared during those years. While they were poor, she said the kids never knew it. Plenty of good food and a warm bed masked the realities. The family moved to Tacoma and eventually on to Sumner. Barb was a solid student at Sumner High School, receiving the Homer Hartley Award. Post her graduation in 1949, she went to work at Fibreboard where she spent the next 13 years. She was an integral part of the administrative staff.

Towards the end of her years at Fibreboard she began dating another SHS graduate, a few years her senior, Pat Gordon. It was by mistake as Pat’s cousin was supposed to set Pat up with a Barbara, but not this one. His mistake turned out spectacularly.After a couple years of dating, Pat was not interested in a big wedding. So, after a two-day engagement they dashed to Oregon for a quick wedding on August 12th, 1959. Many questioned the staying power of the couple (as Pat always said he was a confirmed bachelor). Sixty years of marriage is the testament to their love and commitment to one another.

They spent 6  years in Sumner and welcomed their daughter Debra in 1962. They moved to Olympia in 1965 and opened Pat’s Market in west Olympia. After 25 successful years they sold their store in 1990 to enjoy retirement and their granddaughters. They bought a second home in Ocean Shores as they both loved the beach. It was a spot for some great family memories. They enjoyed travel to Australia and around the US. In 1994, they built a house in Edgewood to be closer to family. It is there that they joined the Milton Senior Center. Barb was involved in the card making class that she really loved. When the house got to be too much, they moved to Village Green in Federal Way for 3 years.

Barb and Pat moved in with daughter Debbie (and family) in 2017 where they spent their final years. It was a blessing for all and created some wonderful memories. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and beloved husband Pat. She is survived by her daughter Debbie Kelly (Brad), granddaughters Blake Kelly, and Blair Richmond (Glenn), and great grandson Axel Richmond. A private family interment will be held on July 20th, 2022. At Barb’s request no other Life celebration will be held.