A woman who partnered in the redevelopment of Seminary Street Historic District and was a creative force behind such businesses as Calico Cat, Landmark Cafe & Creperie and Packinghouse Dining Company has died.
Mary Matson of Galesburg died on Oct. 5 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. She was 83.
According to her obituary, Matson was challenged with numerous health issues throughout her life. In 1970, at age 31, Mary suffered kidney failure and received one of the country’s earliest transplant operations from an NIH grant at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Through diligent care, she maintained the kidney for over 50 years and entered the record books as the world’s longest surviving kidney transplant from a non-related deceased donor.
Matson was born in Galesburg and is a 1957 graduate of Galesburg High School.
Matson opened Calico Cat Boutique in 1968, and she and her husband Jay Matson started a joint entrepreneurial career in 1970.
Obituary: Mary Katherine Matson: June 2, 1939 — October 5, 2022
Mary Matson is credited as the creative force behind the Calico Cat, Old Affairs Antiques, Lullaby Dad’s Thirst Parlor, Landmark Café & Creperie, Packinghouse Dining Company, Jumping Bean Restaurant, Uncle Billy’s Bakery, Kensington Restaurant & Ballroom, and Macomb Dining Company.
She was an early advocate for tourism as an unheralded economic development ingredient and donated the land to house the Galesburg Railroad Museum’s Pullman Car at its founding. Matson partnered in fostering the redevelopment and restoration of Seminary Street as a historic commercial district in downtown Galesburg. She received statewide honors with a President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement by Landmarks Illinois, acknowledging her revitalization work in preserving historic properties and advancing downtown economic development with independently owned businesses.
Mary Matson is survived by her daughter, Rachel Haynes of Altona. She is also survived by brothers Charles Myers of Rockford, and William Myers of Thayer, Missouri; sisters Joan Singh of Alexandria, Virginia, and Susan Crawford of Denver; and her dear friend and ex-husband Jay Matson.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of life will take place at a later date.