Nina Matthews

Nina Irene Wells Matthews, age 83, died Saturday, May 13, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was born December 26, 1933, in Slater, Wyoming to John Clarence and Phoebe Hirschy Moon. On April 26, 1953, she married Gordon Commodor Wells in Stevenson,, Washington. He preceded her in death on August 6, 1986. In 1991, she married Robert Donovan Matthews in Buena Vista, Oregon. He preceded her in death in June 1998.

Nina grew up in Wyoming, moving with her family to Independence, Oregon when she was seven. She was married at 19, then later earned her Bachelors Degree in Art and Education, and eventually her Master’s Degree. She loved teaching school, and was a hard worker. She raised sheep, and wove with the wool from the sheep she raised on the Wells family farm. After she retired from teaching school, she volunteered as a tutor for struggling youth. As a faithful Christian, she enjoyed teaching Sunday School and working with the youth. She enjoyed reading, fishing, and painting.

Survivors include her son, Stan Wells of Logandale, NV; daughter, Susan Wells of Helendale, CA; seven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and one sister, Mary McKern of Salem, OR. She was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, May 20, 2017, at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Mesquite, Nevada. Interment will follow on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 1 p.m., in the Buena Vista Cemetery in Buena Vista, Oregon. Friends and family are invited to sign our online guest book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com.