Mary Margaret Matza, a resident of Malibu since the 1960s, died peacefully in her home on Latigo Shore Drive on Jan. 9 at the age of 67, surrounded by her family. Those who knew Matza describe her as a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and aunt.
Matza was the center of her family’s world and will be missed by the beach communities of Malibu and Puako, Hawaii, where the family has a second home.
“Mary was like a beautiful silk fabric, smooth with a delicate appearance and made from one of the strongest natural fibers on earth,” her husband Joe Matza said.
Matza was born Mary Margaret Drane to Clark and Mildred Drane in Columbia, Mo. on Nov. 23, 1945. The family moved to California when Mary was three and settled in the San Fernando Valley.
During college, she met Joe Matza, and after graduating from California State University Northridge in 1967, they moved to the then-rural community of Malibu. The couple raised two daughters and enjoyed the beauty of Malibu’s natural environment and community. After teaching school at Carden Malibu for eight years, Matza managed properties in Malibu and Hawaii.
The Matza home on Latigo Shore was a favorite destination of friends and family, not only for the beauty of the setting but also their open door. Mary welcomed everyone with equal warmth and hospitality.
As a young college student Matza studied abroad and visited much of Europe and Asia by taking a “Semester at Sea.” She also traveled with her family to Budapest, Italy, Africa, Greece and her beloved Puako. In recent years, Matza found incredible joy being with her grandchildren, taking long walks and learning to hula dance.
Matza is survived by her mother Mildred Jansen Drane; sister Susan Carpenter; her husband of 45 years Joe Matza; daughters Tia Matza Didden and Daria Matza; sons-in-law Brant Didden and Mark Devendorf; and grandchildren Diego Didden, Niko Didden and Sienna Lin Devendorf.
A memorial service will take place on Feb. 1 at The Parish of Saint Matthews, 1031 Bienveneda Ave. in Pacific Palisades, at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made in Mary’s honor to Be The Match at marrow.org