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In Memoriam: Therese Johnson Matan
The Gonzaga community has lost a beloved member, devoted matriarch and generous patron. Therese “Terry” Johnson Matan passed away this week. A lifelong Washingtonian and graduate of Georgetown Visitation, Terry met and married Tom Matan of Gonzaga’s Class of 1957, and remained a strong supporter of Gonzaga, particularly St. Aloysius Church, over many decades until her passing.
In 1995, Terry was one of the first four people, alongside her late husband Tom, who were awarded Gonzaga’s highest honor, the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Medal, which recognizes service to the school and community. “The Great Church of St. Aloysius is more splendid and Gonzaga itself more beautiful in large part due to the efforts of Therese Johnson Matan,” read The Good News in November 1995.
Terry worked tirelessly for decades with numerous Gonzaga presidents, Jesuits, artists and benefactors to restore the church. In the early 1990s, the late Gonzaga President Father Bernard Dooley, S.J. presided over the restoration of St. Al’s. Terry, he recalled, “became the heart and soul of a major restoration of the second oldest Catholic Church in the Federal City.”
"I will miss her always gracious and sincere smile and greetings to me," said Gonzaga President Father Joseph Lingan, SJ '75. "But make no mistake, Terry was a force – a force for good. She wanted the best for St. Al’s and Gonzaga, and nothing short of that would do. It is clear, Gonzaga has been, and will continue to be, blessed by God through Terry’s life – the graced lessons she taught, the honorable example she set, and the wonderful memories she ensured for us. She was a woman of tireless devotion to the things she loved: her family, her alma mater (Visitation!) and the alma mater of her husband, Tom, and her sons and grandsons (Gonzaga!), the arts, and, of course, the magnificent Church of St. Aloysius."
In 1995, Terry was one of the first four people, alongside her late husband Tom, who were awarded Gonzaga’s highest honor, the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Medal, which recognizes service to the school and community. “The Great Church of St. Aloysius is more splendid and Gonzaga itself more beautiful in large part due to the efforts of Therese Johnson Matan,” read The Good News in November 1995.
Terry worked tirelessly for decades with numerous Gonzaga presidents, Jesuits, artists and benefactors to restore the church. In the early 1990s, the late Gonzaga President Father Bernard Dooley, S.J. presided over the restoration of St. Al’s. Terry, he recalled, “became the heart and soul of a major restoration of the second oldest Catholic Church in the Federal City.”
"I will miss her always gracious and sincere smile and greetings to me," said Gonzaga President Father Joseph Lingan, SJ '75. "But make no mistake, Terry was a force – a force for good. She wanted the best for St. Al’s and Gonzaga, and nothing short of that would do. It is clear, Gonzaga has been, and will continue to be, blessed by God through Terry’s life – the graced lessons she taught, the honorable example she set, and the wonderful memories she ensured for us. She was a woman of tireless devotion to the things she loved: her family, her alma mater (Visitation!) and the alma mater of her husband, Tom, and her sons and grandsons (Gonzaga!), the arts, and, of course, the magnificent Church of St. Aloysius."
Together, Terry and Tom raised four children, daughter Michelle Matan Dombo, and three sons who attended Gonzaga: Mark ’84, Joseph “JP” ’88 and James ’94. They also had eight grandsons who attended - and still attend - Gonzaga: Patrick T. '20, James, Jr. ’22, Joe ’24, Billy ’26, Michael ’26, Tommy Dombo ’22, William “Steele” Dombo ’24 and Hank Dombo ’28. Terry was a constant presence at countless school and athletic events on Eye Street, including Grandparents Day, where she read at Mass and beamed proudly in photos alongside her sons and grandsons.
Terry served the greater Washington community as a model of faith and generosity in her capacity as Secretary of the Matan Family Foundation, which supports a wide range of causes ranging from children’s health and Catholic education to assisting the homeless.
“Terry Matan was a pillar of the Gonzaga family for decades,” said David Dugan ’98, Gonzaga’s Senior Vice President of Alumni and Advancement. “She had a great sense of humor, she loved to tease and laugh, and when she wanted to get something done, you knew it was going to happen, and be done to her high standards. We have been blessed to know Mrs. Matan; she will be long remembered on Eye Street.”
Father Lingan added: "Whenever I walk into St. Al’s, I will remember her dedication, commitment, generosity, and extraordinary and deep appreciation for this House of God. May she rest in peace, and may she hear well God say to her, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.' "
To read Terry's obituary, please click here.
Father Lingan added: "Whenever I walk into St. Al’s, I will remember her dedication, commitment, generosity, and extraordinary and deep appreciation for this House of God. May she rest in peace, and may she hear well God say to her, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.' "
To read Terry's obituary, please click here.
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