"I am so sad to hear that Miss Georgianne has passed. I was one of her students at Alma School, and I'm not exaggerating when I say that she set the course for my life. She was the best and most influential teacher of my life. It's been almost forty years and yet she remains a constant voice in my head - her compassion, intellect and passion will never be matched. My heart goes out to her family. I'm so very sorry for your loss, and I share it with you."
In loving memory of
Georgianne Matthews
April 23, 1939 - September 11, 2020
Georgianne E. Matthews, 81 passed away at ACCURA Healthcare in Ames, Iowa on September 11, 2020.
Georgianne was born on April 23, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois to George Fredrick and Katharine Christine. (Spilger) Matthews. Georgianne grew up in Chicago where she attended Alice Barnard Public Grade School K-8 and she attended and graduated from high school at The University of Chicago Laboratory School. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Mundelein College in Chicago. In 1962 she moved to Carmel, California to be closer to family. She became a long time resident of the Monterey Bay area where she supported cultural events in the community as a Former President of the Salinas - Monterey Guild and as a member of the Monterey Symphony Board. She received her Masters of Education Degree from San Francisco State University in San Francisco, California. In her young adult life Georgianne combined her pleasure of worldwide traveling with a longing to fulfill a childhood dream of providing extraordinary educational opportunities for children in a school based on her own educational experiences. She attempted to Co-Found an orphanage in Vietnam. She was Co-Founder and Joint Managing Trustee of the GEM-Bach Mai Foundation Trust (India) and Co-Founder of the KAM Centre for Educational Therapy where she was the teacher of the untouchable children in
Bombay, India.
She was the founder and President of The Alma School Foundation, the founder, administrator and teacher of the Alma School in Salinas, California the Alma Mobile School for Mexican/American Migrant Children in Salinas and Holtville, California and the Alma School Choice Encounters in Carmel, California.
In her retirement Georgianne was the creator and publisher of over 80 Classical Great Minds and Children's Miniature Books which she produced by hand. She recorded her life story in a manuscript titled Life's Journey.
She loved her family, her students and a variety of pets that included her four dogs; Klineist, Psalm, Twenty-third and Mamie.
In 2015 Georgianne moved to Ames, Iowa to be closer to family. She was a Pacifist and a Free Choice Thinker that believed in the search for that which is good, and truthful and seek to express it in one's actions.
Georgianne is preceded in death by her parents, sister Coral Scherba and brother-in-law Dr. Gerald Scherba, sister Katharine M. Shambaugh and one infant great niece Lily Katharine Tondra.
Georgianne is survived by her sister Elizabeth E. Middleton, and brother-in-law Larry R. Middleton of Ames, Iowa, Brother-in-Law Dr. George E. Shambaugh, III and his wife Roberta of Atlanta Georgia, ten nieces and nephews and fourteen great nieces and nephews who live in different parts of the world.
Due to Covid 19, Memorial arrangements under the direction of Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care in Ames, Iowa will be at a later date .In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to ACCURA Healthcare,of Ames, 3430 Grand Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010 or Suncrest Home Health and Hospice 5959 Village View Drive, Suite 100 West Des Moines, Iowa 50266.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"I met Georgianne in Carmel, California while she was raising money for children in Palestine. Someone said something very rude to her but she was brave and helped everyone that she could. She had such an amazing life story. She was the first person I ever met who owned a honda insight, because it is the best car for the planet. I now drive one too! I'm really sorry I didn't reach out to her these last few years. What an amazing person, very much missed."
"I will always remember my Aunt Georgianne for her passion for life, her affection for teaching children, love of travel, and last but certainly not least, dogs! A woman before her time, she served as a positive role model of courage for me when I set out to accomplish my own life dreams. "
"I auditioned for Miss Georgeanne to be Assistant teacher at Alma School in Salinas. I was asked to teach for some hours during an open house for the school. Miss Georgeanne was exemplary in her teaching and conveyance of the meaningful and exemplified transcendence of what is superficial. She was accepting, loving, dearly unusual and cherished learning. She held high standards and was a wonderful example and influence. A special family member from an obvious wonderful loving family."
"Georgianne will always hold a special place in my heart. She touched my life in many ways and I am so thankful to have known her and spent time with her. "
"Dear Middletons.....What a wonderful life she lived. This goes back awhile but at least one of my children remembers her as Aunt Georgianne. It must have been on Arkansas Ave. I see a definite sister resemblance. I am sorry for your loss. We feel such a great loss when we lose a sibling. Take care."
"I met Georgianne when she visited Reiman Gardens in Ames either visiting alone or with her sister, Elizabeth. Georgianne was a delightful person to know. She always displayed a positive spirit and was genuinely interested in those around her. I was saddened to know of her passing. "