Penny Rue Matthews

Penny Rue Matthews of Scotts Valley, California died at home with family around her on March 6, 2026 at the age of 82. She was born in Long Beach, California, and lived most of her life in Northern California.

Penny graduated from Sacramento State University with a Masters Degree in Social Work. She worked as a psychiatric social worker for Ventura County Mental Health, working her way up from the Crisis Team to becoming Chief of Adult Services. She was pivotal in the creation of a beautiful, innovative and humane residential psychiatric facility in Oxnard, California. Later in life, she worked as a hospice social worker with Hospice of the Foothills in Grass Valley, California. Penny’s deeply compassionate care for patients and colleagues alike were equaled by her quick intelligence, and quirky sense of humor.

Penny loved to travel the world with her husband and friends, she loved the ocean and the beach, and she loved playing the slot machines in Reno. Penny especially loved to laugh and have fun with her family. An adventurous person at heart, she regretted never being able to zip line or be a race car driver, but she was able to see and do many meaningful and fun things in her life. As a mother and grandmother, Penny was endlessly loving, supportive, inspiring and fun. To her husband, she was his perfect soulmate. Penny was a bright spark whose vibrant, loving, positive energy extended to everyone she met.

She is preceded in death by her parents Peggy Rue and Don Ross. She is survived by her beloved husband of almost 63 years, Dennis Matthews, their daughter Celeyce Rue Matthews, and granddaughter Rebecca Rue Weissman.

Special thanks to Alice Rogers, LVN, who helped care for Penny in the last year of her life. Alice’s exceptional care and delightful presence made life infinitely better for Penny and her family. Many thanks also to neighbors and friends for helping support Penny and family, especially Lori Strusis and Shelley Rosiak-Neal.

Penny’s ashes will be scattered under the Golden Gate Bridge in the San Francisco Bay in a private ceremony.