Patricia S. Matheson

Patricia Matheson peacefully passed away on Sunday, January 21 in Inova Fairfax Hospital at age 79 as a result of complications of her fight against breast cancer, a fight she had waged successfully for 17 years to lead a life that was as productive and fulfilling after her diagnosis as it had been before. 

Pat was born March 18, 1944 in San Antonio, TX to Myron and Mae Schraud (Nee: Richards), younger sister to Cata and Susan.  Her father Myron was a U.S. Foreign Service officer, and she spent her early childhood in Mexico, Germany and Bolivia as a result of his foreign assignments.  She then graduated from high school in Chula Vista, California; received her Bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, and her Master’s degree in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

She then started a long career with the U.S. Agency for International Development, where she managed assistance programs for several decades, including in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, the former Soviet Union, and Latin America.  In the course of that work, she managed a large staff and traveled frequently abroad.  Her work was essential in promoting economic development and social welfare in less-developed countries, and in assisting in the democratic transition of countries like Russia, Ukraine and Kosovo. After her retirement from full-time government service in 2001, she continued for many years to carry out assignments by USAID for economic and social development abroad. To her co-workers, she was a generous friend and mentor with a quick sense of humor, a positive attitude, and a deft, common-sense approach to making the bureaucracy of the federal government work to the benefit of the nation it serves.

Upon retiring from USAID Pat devoted herself wholeheartedly to the service of her local community. She worked with VA Democracy Forward, principally on encouraging voter turnout and redistricting reform; worked with the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia, teaching English as a second language and training ESL teachers; she served elderly community members with the Shepherd’s Center of McLean-Arlington-Falls Church and led hikes with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. She volunteered for many years with the Washington Revels.

Pat was also very active in the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean, Virginia, where she was a member for 34 years. A Deacon and Stephen Minister, she engaged in caregiving ministry for her fellow church members and worked with the church’s refugee resettlement team, developing personal relationships she cherished with the Afghan refugees she mentored and supported logistically. 

In her personal life, Pat gave birth to and raised a son, Scott Matheson, and was the loving spouse of Michael Matheson for more than 50 years.  They loved her dearly and miss her immensely.  They travelled extensively together throughout this country and the world; she watched grey whales in Baja California and marine iguanas in the Galapagos, parasailed off Maui and rafted the New River at age 77, and escaped attacks by a baboon in Capetown and a pelican in Islamorada. They spent many summers in Oxford, UK and in Geneva, Switzerland.

In short, Pat led a wonderful, productive and loving life. She will be sorely missed by her family and so many others. She is survived by her loving husband, Michael and her son, Scott; her sister Susan Randolph and brother-in-law Bob Randolph; their children, David, Carolyn and Brian Randolph, their families and many more family members and friends.

A memorial service for Pat will be held at 2 PM on February 24, 2024, at the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church 1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA with reception to follow: In lieu of flowers gifts in memory of Patricia Matheson may be directed to the Refugee Resettlement Ministry at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church.