Kathy Matthews

PLEASE NOTE: This obituary is being placed on our website as a courtesy to the family. Hullinger Mortuary is not handling any part of these services.

      Kathy Matthews, 54, of Draper, Utah, passed away unexpectedly from a medical condition July 31, 2026, in Lehi, Utah.
      Kathy was born September 25, 1971, in Roosevelt, Utah, to Cornelius Hugh and Sylvia Anne Strasburg Matthews. She began life facing significant medical challenges due to Rh negative factor, requiring blood transfusions and specialized care during her first month of life. The strength and resilience she developed from those earliest days remained with her throughout her life. She was the sixth of seven children and was deeply loved by her parents and siblings.
      Kathy was raised on the family farm in Roosevelt, where she learned the value of hard work from an early age. She helped in the large garden—pulling weeds, watering, harvesting, and spending countless hours canning the harvest. Summers were spent irrigating fields, moving sprinkler pipe, and caring for cows, sheep, and pigs, as well as planting, harvesting and sorting potatoes to sell locally. Kathy never shied away from hard work. She was often the first to volunteer when there was a chore to do or someone needed help, and she did it all without complaint.
      She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She treasured her faith and remained faithful throughout her life, serving in many callings. She especially loved attending the temple and found great peace there.
      Kathy is bright and excelled academically. She graduated from Union High School with a scholarship to the College of Eastern Utah in Price, where she earned her associate degree. She then graduated from Utah State University in Logan, with a degree in Elementary Education. During the summers, she worked as a nanny in New Jersey and Washington to help pay for her education.
      Music is one of Kathy's lifelong passions, especially during her teenage years. She enjoyed many genres, but rock and roll was always among her favorites. There was rarely a time when music of some kind wasn't playing in her home or car.
      Kathy began working at CompHealth in Salt Lake City in 1997. She quickly discovered a career she truly enjoyed and advanced through several roles in physician licensing and credentialing. Along the way, she formed lasting friendships with coworkers who treated her with remarkable generosity, kindness, and love.
      Kathy loved to travel and took every opportunity she could to explore new places. She especially enjoyed cruises and relaxing on the beach. Her true "happy place" was Cannon Beach, Oregon, walking along the shore, watching the waves, and soaking in the beauty around her. She captured hundreds of photographs and loved sharing her adventures with family and friends.
      Kathy is a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. The relationship she has with her sisters and brother will be cherished forever. Though she never married, she was a loving mother figure to her cherished nieces and nephews, the children she taught in Primary and the Activity Days girls she served. She was the fun aunt, somehow making every niece and nephew feel like they were her favorite—and each of them would happily tell you that Kathy was their favorite too. She had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen, accepted, and loved, often by baking their favorite cookie or giving gifts. We were all naturally drawn to Kathy's gentle spirit and genuine kindness.
      In 2009, her mother moved to Draper and invited Kathy to live with her, which she gladly accepted. Together they shared countless treasured memories—traveling, attending the temple, hosting family gatherings, watching PBR, cooking shows, and HGTV, dining out, and baking treats to share with others. When her mother's health declined, Kathy lovingly became her primary caregiver, allowing her to remain in the comfort of her home far longer than would otherwise have been possible.
      Above all, Kathy cherished her family. She loved opening her home to anyone who came to visit, making sure every guest felt welcome, every dietary need was thoughtfully accommodated, and everyone else was served before she sat down herself. There was always a place in Kathy's heart, her home and at her table for each of us.
      Kathy leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of those who loved her and will be deeply missed. While our hearts ache in her absence, we find comfort in knowing she has been reunited with loved ones who have gone before her. She has the knowledge that families are eternal, and we will see her again. We trust that she was called Home for a purpose, even if we cannot yet understand it.
      Kathy is survived by her siblings: Susan Tanner of Roosevelt, Utah; Dennis (Karen) Matthews of Elko, Nevada; RaNae Powell of Lehi, Utah; Sylvia (Brad) Palmer of Kansas City, Missouri; and Debra (Darren) Jones of Sandy, Utah, as well as her beloved nieces and nephews.
      She was preceded in death by her parents; her older brother, Kenneth Gene Matthews; and her brother-in-law, Karl Powell.
      Funeral Services for Kathy will be held on Friday August 7, 2026 at 11:00 am in the Crescent View 4th Ward Chapel located at, 11626 South 300 East Draper, Utah. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Thursday evening August 6, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Crescent View 4th Ward Chapel, and also an additional viewing on Friday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to the service. Graveside service will be held on August 8, 2026 at 12:00 pm at the Roosevelt Memorial Park located at 400 West Highway 40 Roosevelt Utah.