We are sad to announce the sudden passing of Nancy L. Matus, who died on July 11, 2023 at her home.

Nancy was born in Wichita, Kansas on January 22, 1955, to Joseph and Josephine Matus. From an early age Nancy showed an artistic talent which was encouraged by her older sister Karen. Nancy loved to draw and paint, and was selected for a summer art workshop for young people at Arizona State University.

When her dad gave her his old set of drafting pens and tools, this sparked an interest in Nancy for architectural drafting. One of her first jobs out of high school was at Paramount Drafting, where she was the only woman drafting technician at the time. She thrived in her drafting classes at Phoenix College, where she graduated in 1980. A further development of her interests led her to be accepted to the University of Arizona college of architecture, where she excelled in her studies. Unfortunately she was unable to complete the course and returned to Phoenix, where she was hired with the City of Phoenix. Throughout her 30 year career with the city, Nancy held a variety of drafting and supervisory roles in the Water, Engineering, and Streets Departments, eventually retiring in 2007.

Even during her full time working career, Nancy continued to explore her artistic talents with painting, drawing, and jewelry making. She was proud to be a member of several professional art groups including National Acrylic Painters Association, and the International Society of Acrylic Painters. Her works have been published in two art books by Rockport Publishers, and she has shown her paintings at the Coos Bay Art Museum, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, and the Phoenix City Hall, and many of her works are in private and public collections.

Nancy was predeceased by her beloved husband Kenneth Walker, who passed away in 2018 after 28 years of marriage. She is also predeceased by her parents, her brothers Kenneth and Daniel Matus, and her sister Karen Matus Boswell. Surviving are her sister Patricia Matus, sisters in law Denise Matus, Misa Matus, Judy Walker, stepson Ivan Nicholas Walker, niece Laura Boswell Bucci, and nephews Mark, Matthew, Christopher, and Patrick Boswell; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Nancy was a beautiful, vibrant and creative force, who will be missed by many. She will be laid to rest with her husband at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. No immediate services are planned.

Posted online on July 20, 2023

Published in The Arizona Republic

https://www.azcentral.com/obituaries/par070863