Nov. 9, 1936 — Jan. 18, 2024
Our mom, Frances Doreen Mattingly, née Fullick, age 87, passed away suddenly on Jan. 18, 2024, in St. George. She was born at Rose Cottage, Reynold, England on Nov. 9, 1936, to William and Marjory Fullick. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert P. “Matt” Mattingly, sister Janice Fullick, and brother Niel Fullick, both of Bedfordshire, England.
Mom was the wife of a career military man. She met our dad when he was stationed at RAF Bentwaters in Woodbridge, England. This was the start of her 22-year civilian tour of duty that took her to many states and countries. This is evidenced by the birth of her children in England, Germany, South Carolina and Arizona.
Her British upbringing during and after WWII gave her mettle and a strong will to meet the expectations placed on a military spouse raising a family. Her strength and fortitude would put any drill sergeant to shame. Together our parents ran a tight ship that solidly set the foundations of their children’s lives.
She often didn’t work outside the home, but for a time volunteered for the Red Cross in Utah and Virginia.
Growing up in England she was an accomplished and lifelong swimmer and played field hockey. Mom was a good bowler and was in many military 10-pin bowling leagues. She later enjoyed playing lawn bowls at SunRiver, placing fourth in The Huntsman Senior Games. She was a voracious reader; she would devour murder mysteries, spy novels, police procedurals, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter books in days. She had said “if you can read, you can go anywhere in the world in your mind”. She had a keen and sharp intellect for crossword puzzles and word games.
Our mom could knit and sew just about anything. She made beautiful sweaters and blankets for her grandchildren and others. She received many compliments for her Starsky & Hutch-type sweaters and much to her delight, she loved being asked where she had bought them.
Mom is survived by her four children: Robert W. Mattingly (Kristen). Marshall P. Mattingly, Janice A. Graham (Ray), and Samantha J. Mattingly. She is survived by six grandchildren: Lauren, Jordan, Andrew, Marshall III, Shantel and Morgan; Her brother, David Fullick (Dawn), and sister Norma Hoskins (Steve), England, UK., and sister Sandra of San Antonio, Tx., and her fondest nephew Michael Cox, New York.
The family would like to acknowledge and express gratitude to the staff at St. George Regional Hospital and Intermountain Hospice for the care they provided.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah located at 1316 S. 400 East, Suite #A5, St. George, Utah. Interment will take place at the Arlington National Cemetery in late spring.
Those who cannot attend in person can watch online via Zoom at this link. Meeting ID: 985 7188 0729 Passcode: 759028
Family and friends are invited to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.