On October 18th, surrounded by family and friends, Marynell peacefully said farewell to this earth.

She was born August 28th, 1960 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Ben and Grace Matt and was the youngest of their four children.

Marynell grew up in Milwaukee, attended Messmer High School, and graduated from the University of

Wisconsin, Whitewater in 1983 with a BA in

Communications and a minor in Dance. A love of travel began with a 10,000 mile road trip across the country after college. In 1986, she served in

the Peace Corps in Mauritania, West Africa, where she worked with the women of

the village to create a vegetable garden co-op. Her passion for travel led to extraordinary adventures.

Marynell’s creativity inspired various careers throughout her lifetime, including

positions at the Milwaukee and San Francisco Ballet companies, the Berkeley

Repertory Theater, the Lutheran Brotherhood, and Vashon Allied Arts. She started a home-based publishing business before dedicating herself, body and soul, to her final work as a gardener and garden designer.

Marynell lived in Southern and Northern California, spending one of the most magical years of her life in the Marble Mountain Wilderness as a caretaker for a remote and primitive lodge. In 1997, when visiting a childhood friend on Vashon Island, her search for community was fulfilled. She made the island her home. In 2006, her dream of having a child came true with the birth of her son, Benjamin (Ben) Joseph Shay Matt.

Marynell’s life was abundant with traditions, rituals, and a love of the outdoors. She was committed to fostering joy and the bonds of family, friendship, and community.

She lovingly planted these seeds in Ben.

Marynell touched others deeply with her vibrant spirit, warm heart, and playful

nature. Her legacy encourages us to see beauty and joy in others, walk in nature, care

for our animals, lovingly prepare meals, dance with abandon, embrace silliness, and

appreciate the love that surrounds us.

Marynell is survived by her son Benjamin; brother Ben Matt Jr.; sister-in-law

Barbara Matt; brother Christopher Matt; sister Jennifer Yuhas; brother-in-law Dan

Yuhas; nieces Meghan Matt, Maureen Herritz and her husband Kurt, and Alison Pitrof, her husband Jeff and son Gavin; nephews Christopher (Chip) Matt and Michael Matt.

Her Celebration of Life service will be held

at 11 a.m. on October 27th at Bethel Church on Vashon Island.

Paid Obituary.