Janeth Youngs Matley

August 25, 1930 - December 20, 2013

Janeth Youngs Matley died peacefully in Carson City, Nevada on December 20, 2013. Born in Ashland, Oregon on August 25, 1930, Jan grew up in British Columbia and Reno, Nevada. Her parents owned a hunting and fishing lodge overlooking a chain of lakes in a remote area of B.C. where she learned to love everything from fishing to horseback riding.That childhood created in her a sense OF natural wonder that remained with her the rest of her life. When she was in high school, Jan met Theodore Russell Matley, the love of her life and lifelong partner. They were married in 1951 and enjoyed nearly 60 years as husband and wife. Together they had five children, one of whom – Diedre – died shortly after her birth. Jan worked alongside her husband in the casinos, first at Harold’s Club and later Harvey’s at Lake Tahoe. Although she worked full time, she gave her full effort to making her children’s childhood as magical as she remembered her own to be. She taught them to hike, fish, ride horses and enjoy the natural beauty of the Sierras. She was an amazing storyteller with the heart of a poet. Jan was a ceaseless dreamer and she built a world of dreams that she passed lovingly on to her kids. She was a strong woman who struggled to raise and support four children, instilling in them the vital concepts of truth and kindness. Jan is survived by four children: Alyson Crean, Russell Scott (Ratna) Matley, Gayle (Joe) Colella, and Marshall Reno (Stephanie) Matley. She has eight grandchildren: Crystal Rose Colella; Evangeline, Christopher and Spencer Matley; Eliza, Rebecca, Katelyn, and Caroline Matley. She was preceded in death by her husband Russell and her parents Grover Alexander and Elsie Allen Youngs.