(1936-2025)

For many months I have been reflecting on the task of writing this autobiography. Over and over it has come to me that the overwhelming influence in my life is that of a generous God, one who has always provided for me and for my family and has allowed me to be generous in many ways.

Sister Chris Matthews began her autobiography with these sentences, and that thread of God’s generosity was woven throughout the pages that followed.

Christine Marie Matthews was born on December 11, 1936, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, to James and Grace (Austin) Matthews. She was the second youngest of the couple’s five surviving children – two others died at birth – coming after Mary, Grace, and Janet and before Michael.

James was born on a farm in Hastings, Michigan, to a father who insisted that his boys work hard on the farm, to the point of having their education interrupted during planting and harvest time. When the farm failed, James’ father left the family, and so the children and their mother moved to Detroit. James went on to become a foreman at Ainsworth Manufacturing.

As for Grace, she was a fourth-generation Detroiter who grew up in a family that was very poor but was able to have fun nevertheless. A highlight was when the eldest Austin girl, Annie, would come home on payday with the latest song on sheet music and the family would sing as she played the piano. Although Grace’s family was too poor to even have a Christmas tree, when the neighbors discarded their tree after the holiday the Austin children would bring it into their house and decorate it.

When James and Grace met, James thought she was “the prettiest, peppiest girl he had ever known,” Sister Chris wrote. But after their first date, Grace told Jim it was not a good idea for them to go out since he was not Catholic. He immediately told her he would become Catholic, and soon thereafter began taking instruction in the faith.

As the couple raised their family, they were considered strict on many accounts, but “there was much fun and laughter in the house,” Sister Chris wrote. Holidays were full of relatives and good food, evening homework was often followed by a spirited card game, and the family spent summers at Torch Lake with plenty of fishing and swimming.

Read more about Sister Christine (PDF)

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. 

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Note: To view recordings with closed captioning, they must be viewed on our public video library rather than through the links below.

Recording of Sister Christine's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Christine's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video choosing "Save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

 

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