Matthew Brent Watkins 4/22/1969 – 6/7/2016
Beloved son, step-son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, nephew, godfather, godson, fraternity brother, co-worker, neighbor and friend died peacefully, fortified by the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, in the arms of his family and compassionate staff at Mercy Hospital St. Louis, the location of his birth 47 years ago. Matt succumbed to stage IV esophageal cancer, 15 months after his diagnosis, accepting his prognosis with bravery and dignity. He experienced chemotherapy and radiation positively, participating fully in his treatment plan. He challenged himself to live beyond the median survival time for his diagnosis, as depicted on his hand-drawn bell curve, proud to have made it to the right side. Matt was an extreme sports fan particularly the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues and Northwestern University (NU) Wildcats. Those who accompanied him to Cardinals games were taught how to keep score and were treated to his vast knowledge of baseball history, statistics and trivia. Watching NU football with his Kappa Sigma brothers and fellow members of the NU Club of St. Louis gave him great joy. During his last year, he accomplished most of his personal bucket list: visiting Fenway Park, attending the Northwestern bowl game in Tampa, Cardinal playoff games, Blues games, concerts and other events. He took care of “his ferns” growing in planters at Busch Stadium. Matt was a trained weather spotter and took pride in making his own forecasts, upon which his friends relied. He had multiple interests and touched so many lives, always with a witty and inquisitive spirit. Matt graduated from Webster Groves High School in 1987 and Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois in 1991. He was working as a business analyst for Beacon Communications until his death. He leaves behind his mother, Pat Clendenin (Ed); his father, Jerry Watkins (Bonnie); his brothers, Tim Watkins and Dan Watkins (Maria); his sister Carrie Watkins O’Neill (John); his nieces and nephews: Allison Watkins; Dominic, Katia and Jonah Watkins and Molly, Meghan and Patrick O’Neill; his godparents: Bill and Barbara Watkins and many aunts, uncles, cousins, Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers, friends, neighbors, co-workers, pet-sitter “clients”, former classmates and his cat, Karin Kinsella. His final Facebook entry on June 4 commented on the Cardinals win.
Visitation: Friday, June 17, 2016, 4 to 8 p.m., KUTIS Affton Funeral Home, 10151 Gravois, 63123
Funeral Mass: Saturday, June 18, 10 a.m. Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 17 Joy Avenue, Webster Groves, followed by burial celebration at Resurrection Cemetery, where Matt will eternally rest on a high and sunny hill with a 360-degree view of the sky.
In Matt’s memory, donations to your favorite charity or to the SHO Foundation, online: shofoundation.org or mail: 1114 Cheshire Lane, Webster Groves, MO 63119, will help his beautiful spirit live on.