Loraine Matt

Alice Loraine Matt
August 24, 1944 – November 15, 2021

Loraine, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on November 15, 2021, at home surrounded by family. Loraine, a previous cancer survivor, succumbed after a valiant second battle with the illness.

Loraine was born to Virginia (nee Thrasher) and Robert Steimer in Josephine County, Oregon. Her family had pioneered in the Illinois Valley and were very involved in the community. She was a member of Job’s Daughters, Kerby Chapter, and was a past Honored Queen. She attended Illinois Valley schools until the family moved to Grants Pass for her senior year. She graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1962. At G.P.H.S. she met and later married John Jansen. They had two children, Julie Lynn Jansen (Myers) and John Michael Jansen. The married ended in 1970.

As a single mother, Loraine worked her way through beauty school and then worked as a beautician as she worked her way through college to become a teacher. She began her teaching career for the Josephine County School District (later the Three Rivers School District). Her talent for teaching was quickly recognized and she enjoyed a storied career as a deeply caring teacher for all students and their families.

In 1973, Loraine met and married Tom Finnegan, a contractor. They moved to the Olympia, Washington area where she continued to teach. Loraine and Tom had two children, Patrick
Finnegan and Steven Finnegan. The marriage ended in 1988.

Loraine returned to Grants Pass and resumed teaching with the Three Rivers School District. In 1989, Loraine met the love of her life, Vince Matt, a former acquaintance and widower from the school district. They married on February 17, 1990. Upon their union Loraine became the step-mother of Claire Matt and Tony Matt, with whom she had a very close and loving relationship.

Vince and Loraine were a vibrant couple. They met and made friends easily and loved nothing more than to entertain friends and family. They were accomplished chefs and were known for their dinner parties. They hosted everything from costume parties to murder mystery dinners. Loraine had a tradition of baking with her grandchildren before Christmas for them to make baked gifts for their families. Loraine and Vince always decorated for every holiday, much to the pleasure of their neighbors and the community. They both loved music, dancing, plays, concerts and movies.

Loraine continued teaching until her retirement in 2005. She spent her own money on decorations and supplies for her classroom and students. She would volunteer extra hours in the evenings and on weekends to make sure her classroom was decorated and interesting for her students. It was not uncommon for past students to approach Loraine in public and hug her. So many of them had the same story to tell. They would have never graduated from High School or continued to college without her passion for teaching, devotion and example she set for them. Many of her students were from broken or dysfunctional homes. Loraine often said she spent extra time and effort with them, because they needed it most.

Loraine survived breast cancer in 2012. She joined the local Walk For Life and participated in Walk For Life marathons for years. She had endless energy, captained teams, and her teams raised thousands of dollars for cancer research.

Loraine loved to travel. Loraine and Vince traveled to several countries in Europe. Their favorite places to travel in the U.S. were Hawaii and Santa Fe, New Mexico. In later years, when travel became more difficult, Loraine loved beach combing in Gold Beach with Vince, Julie and son-in-law Ray.

Loraine was preceded in death by her mother, father, daughter-in-law Julie Finnegan and granddaughter Brynna Finnegan.

She is survived by her husband Vince Matt of Grants Pass; sister Gloria Steimer of Eugene, Oregon; brother Robert Steimer (Farima) of Ponte Vedra, Florida; daughters Julie Myers (Ray) of Grants Pass and Claire Matt (Thad) of Williams, Oregon; sons John Jansen (Mary) of Deer Park, Washington, Patrick Finnegan of Tumwater, Washington, Steven Finnegan (Laura) of Stanwood, Washington and Tony Matt (Debi) of Portland, Oregon; grandchildren Sara (Kanah), Rebekah (Matt), Rachel (Dan), Josh (Andrea), Derrika (Brandon), Colton, Aidan, Jackson, Kaitlin, Johnathan (Sharon), Chelsea (Ian), Conner, Elena, and Thomas; and great-grandchildren Mark, James, Henry, Ilya, Ella, Remi, Quincy, Destry, Kinsley, and Jessa.

The family is requesting in lieu of flowers donations be made to the cancer charity of your choice. From all of us, thank you for the prayers, and showing of love and support to our family. We would especially like to thank Signature Hospice for their kind and loving assistance in the care of Loraine.