Joyce Matson

Joyce Marie Matson, 83, of White Sulphur Springs, MT and formerly of Great Falls, a restaurant/bar owner-operator passed away October 19, 2016 at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls. Joyce was born on August 21, 1933 at the old Columbus Hospital in Great Falls. She was the last of three children born to Louis and Mary Antonick, and grew up in Great Falls, Butte and Portland, Oregon. She graduated from Great Falls High School in 1952 and attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington for several years. It was here that she met and married her first husband Patton McCullough. They lived in Spokane, Clarkston and Moses Lake, Washington and Boise, Idaho. Joyce and Pat had two sons: Robert and James. She was very athletic. She enjoyed both snow and water skiing, and while living in Boise, Idaho she played in the women’s softball league. She worked numerous jobs throughout her life including: dance instructor for Arthur Murray, jewelry sales, real estate agent, stock broker and owner-operator of several restaurant/bars. In 1979 she purchased Stockman Bar from her father and has been the proprietor ever since. One of her memorable achievements was gaining enough points at competitive bridge tournaments to be declared a “Lifetime Master” in 1979. At one point of her bridge playing “career” she played with Omar Sharif, the actor and bridge afficionado. Joyce was so passionate about politics that in the mid-1980’s she ran twice for the Montana State Senate (District 32). Her ultimate goal as an elected official was to work to improve the quality of life for those in her community. She lost both races by less than two hundred votes. Joyce was known as an excellent, but slow cook. Although she could make anything, her family remembers her for the Thanksgiving turkey, pies and salad. She often stated that the secret to her salad was ‘lemon juice’. Holidays were a special time for her as it gave her the opportunity to decorate her home like scenes in an old movie. While living in White Sulphur Springs Joyce attended St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, was a member of the Lions Club and the Senior Center. She enjoyed various activities: collecting antiques, playing board games (especially Monopoly), playing her organ (she was self-taught), and watching television. Her two favorite movies were Gone with the Wind and The Godfather (1, 2 and3). Joyce is survived by her son, Robert McCullough of White Sulphur Springs; daughter-in-law Therese McCullough of Boise, Idaho; and four grandchildren (Dane, Jessica, Sean and Allisa). She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis Antonick and Mary Nissen; her brother, Robert Antonick; and her son, James McCullough. Services are pending.