Susanne Marie “Susie” Matula, 87, peacefully entered the gates of heaven on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020. Born in Lebanon on Dec. 16, 1933, she was a daughter of the late Paul A. and Doris M. (Riegle) Arnold.
Susie attended Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary’s) grade school and was a 1951 graduate of Lebanon Catholic High School. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s, Saint Gertrude’s, and Saint Cecilia’s parishes. Her strong Catholic faith, along with her love for children, rewarded her the opportunity to teach CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) at Saint Mary’s school for nearly two decades. Susie was a passionate, outspoken advocate against child abuse and the brainchild (and artist) behind the “Love the Children” poster campaign throughout Lebanon County. She instructed the Lebanon Catholic High School Color Guard under the direction of their band director, James Checket, for six years. Susie was proud to serve as drum major and color guard co-captain for the Lebanon V.F.W. Post 23 alongside Shirley Tabling. In the words of her sister, Faye, “Susie helped those who could not help themselves and she was loved by everyone who knew her.”
Susanne is survived by her son, Tony Matula, and her daughter, Beth Anne Werth, and her husband, Robert Charles; the grandchildren she was blessed with – Anthony Matula, and his wife, Laura, Angela Walker, and her husband, Cameron, Adam Matula, Nikki Gonzalez, and her husband, Frank; great-grandchildren – Elyssa, Anthony, Kiana, and Maddie; and her sister, Faye Frantz. She was preceded in death by her son, Joseph; grandson, Jared Robert Werth; and beloved brother, John A. Arnold.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020 at St. Cecilia’s Church, 120 E. Lehman St., Lebanon, PA 17046. In lieu of flowers, donations in Susie’s name may be made to Domestic Violence Intervention, P.O. Box 49, Lebanon, PA 17042. Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. is entrusted with arrangements. Please share your memories with the family at our online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com
