Kay passed away July 3, 2019, at St Peters Hospital in Helena, Montana. She was born on January 18, 1943 to William and Edith Hazen. She graduated from Helena High School in 1961 and lived her entire life in Helena. She married her husband of 47 years, John Reed Mathews on June 3, 1961. Together, they were loving, supportive parents of two sons, Kevin and Ken.
Kay was a life-long learner and an extremely hard worker. She built a successful real estate career over 35 years, became a licensed broker, and was awarded Realtor of the Year by the Montana Association of Realtors multiple times. Along the way, many of her clients turned into lifelong friends. She also served as President of the Helena Association of Realtors and as a local and state director. In the midst of her real estate career, she also opened and ran a Curves Fitness Center for Women.
Kay was an active contributor to the Helena community. She chaired the Board of Directors for the Friendship Center and was instrumental in raising funds for the new facility built in 2007 where a room is named in her honor. She also helped lead the Friendship Center’s annual “Empty Bowls” fundraising event for several years. Kay loved to sing and performed with the Helena chapter of Sweet Adelines. Additionally, she served on the Board of Directors for the Helena Community Credit Union. She collected Montana art and supported local performance arts, especially the Helena Symphony and Grandstreet Theater.
After John passed away unexpectedly in 2008, Kay found love again with her current husband Cordell (Corky) Johnson and enjoyed 6 happy years with him. Kay loved to travel and had many exciting trips over the years, including several with Corky. One of her favorite trips was a tour of the Holy Land where she rode a camel!
Kay is preceded in death by her first husband, John, her granddaughter Sunny, two brothers (Eddie and Bobby Hazen) and a sister (Dorothy McCammack). She is survived by her husband, Corky Johnson; her beloved dog JR; her sister Peggy (Robert) Marshall; sons Kevin (Lisa) and Ken (Lauri); stepchildren Janna (Larry) Cawlfield and Todd and Dave Johnson; grandchildren Peter, Lauren, Danny, Luke and Hope; step-grandchildren Jessica and Nicole; great-grandchildren Lane, Summer, Maxwell, Gwendolyn, Gracie and Emma; sisters-in-law Karen Screnar, Judi Reynolds, and Pat Lamb; many long-time friends including Steve and Penny Vincelli, Rocky and Loretta Brown, Claudia Buxton, and Deb Whitcomb; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held on August 10, 2019 at 4:00 PM at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church with a light dinner and reception to follow at the same location. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in Kay’s name to the Friendship Center (thefriendshipcenter.org) or the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
4:00 p.m.
Saturday August 10, 2019
Our Redeemers Lutheran Church
3580 N. Benton Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the celebration of Her life
Saturday August 10, 2019
Our Redeemers Lutheran Church
3580 N. Benton Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
4:00 p.m.
Saturday August 10, 2019
Our Redeemers Lutheran Church
3580 N. Benton Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the celebration of Her life
Saturday August 10, 2019
Our Redeemers Lutheran Church
3580 N. Benton Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Sue Jackson says
Kay was a special person. She worked tirelessly as a real estate agent and was a friend, as well. Sue and Duane Jackson
Don Erickson says
I was privileged to have worked with Kay for a ni beer of years. She was a good friend and coworker.
She loved and was proud of her family. She will be missed. Don Erickson
Allyn Ann Bernau Cummins says
Kay was a great person. Fun, funny & talented too. I will miss her.
Marcia Allen says
Kay was a wonderful lady and will be very missed.I have enjoyed working with her in real estate .
Reed & Connie Lamb says
So sorry to hear of Kay’s long struggle with illness and passing.
Linda Vaughey says
Served on the Friendship Center board with Kay and kept in touch over the years since. She was one of the nicest people I ever met, quiet spoken and kind to everyone she met. She will be dearly missed by family and friends. My condolences.
Connie says
So sorry to learn of Kay’s passing. She and John are reunited once again! Kay will be missed by friends abd family.
Dawn Ferguson says
I was so Honored to know Kay! My heart is sad and her family is in my prayers.
Kacey and Susan Askin says
I was so sorry to hear of Kay’s passing. She helped us find our first home in Helena & we always enjoyed speaking to her afterwards. She was a sweet, loving lady. Will miss visiting with her. Will pray for comfort for her family.
Pat Smith De Zordo says
Kay and I spent several months of friendship in Portland, Oregon, when we were in our teens. She went back to Helena, and we kept in touch for a several years. Then, life happened; but I’ve always remembered our shared good times. I Googled her, tonight, and am so saddened to hear of her passing. It’s not surprising that she was such an accomplished, giving person throughout her life, and I’m sure she’s missed, terribly. My condolences to her family.