Fall River – LeAnn “Lee” J. (Chaffin) Matern, 62, of Little Compton, RI passed away Sunday, March 6, 2005 at Charlton Memorial Hospital. She was the loving wife of 46 years of Michael V. Matern.
She was born in San Bernardino, CA, daughter of Anna May (Brown) Chaffin of Rialto, CA and the late Raymond “Chip” Chaffin. After their marriage, Mike and Lee lived in several communities in the Los Angeles, CA area, in San Martin and Morgan Hill in Central CA, and in Budd Lake, NJ before finally settling in Little Compton 30 years ago.
Lee enjoyed cooking and baking which she had learned at a young age from her grandmother Anna Brown and aunt Louise Daggett. She had the gift of making the simplest ingredients into delights, and no new neighbor or dear friend ever lacked for a welcome gift of scrumptious baked goods.
Though a shut-in for many years, she delighted in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. Any hungry stray or wild animal could count on her generosity.
She never complained about her own trials of life, sustained by her very strong faith in the Lord. She was always ready to lend a compassionate ear to friends and family, to help ease their burdens.
Including her husband and mother, she is survived by 2 sons: Michael L. Matern of Plympton, MA and Robert A. Matern and his wife Tami of Burnham, ME; a daughter: Deborah L. Howe and her husband Jerry of Detroit, ME; a brother: Gary Chaffin of Highland, CA; a sister: Janet Bisnett of Rialto, CA; 7 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Raymond Chaffin.
Memorial Service to which relatives and friends are invited will be Friday, March 18, 2005 at the Third Baptist Church, 260 Stafford Rd., Fall River at 7:00 P.M.
Calling hours are respectfully omitted.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Third Baptist Church 260 Stafford Rd., Fall River, 02721.