Marianne Matthews taught English, theater and speech for 35 years at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, where she also directed many student theater productions.
“She was the first of many fantastic English teachers I had at Sandburg who helped me hone my writing skills and become a better communicator,” said Kim Singletary, a 1997 Sandburg graduate.
Matthews, 80, died of natural causes on Sept. 5 at the University of Chicago Hospitals, said her niece, Mary Beth Harper. She was a longtime La Grange resident.
Born in Dubuque, Iowa, Matthews was adopted by Anna and Steve Zern. She grew up in Joliet and graduated from St. Francis Academy in Joliet, which now is part of Joliet Catholic Academy.
Matthews received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and then a master’s degree from the U. of I., her family said. She began teaching English, theater and speech classes at Sandburg in 1966.
Her primary aims, former students said, included instilling in her students a love for the written word, a confidence when speaking publicly, and a keen love for the work of William Shakespeare.
“She taught confidence, public speaking, research and deep thought into subjects and instilled a work ethic that I still use daily — and always will,” said Vikki Duke, a 1997 Sandburg graduate who went on to teach for five years in Palos School District 118. “The impact on her students is immeasurable.”
Singletary recalled that during her freshman honors English class, Matthews taught students Shakespearean curse words, telling her class that “they’re so much more interesting than regular curse words.”
“Not only was it a fun exercise, but I also learned the word ‘cur’ and started a lifelong relationship with Shakespeare, who remains one of my favorite wordsmiths,” Singletary said. “Mrs. Matthews made me proud of being a big word nerd.”
Matthews team-taught the speech component of Sandburg’s freshman honors English class alongside her longtime colleague Jean Moran, who taught the literature piece. Moran said one former student, former U.S. Rep. Jim Nussle, an Iowa Republican, famously wore a paper bag over his head on the U.S. House floor to protest what he saw as mismanagement by the opposing party — an idea that Moran said may have been inspired by his time in Matthews’ English class.
“One of the things he remembered from Marianne’s speech class was that you needed to get the attention of your audience before you did anything else,” Moran said.
Matthews brought out the best in students working on a school play, said Julie Meyerson Ross, who graduated from Sandburg in 1976.
“In high school I was an insecure, fair-to-middling being. I got into theater and under the guidance of Mrs. Matthews I became special, talented and valued,” Ross said. “She was fun, creative and attentive to all us teenagers. She respected and inspired us.”
Ross recalled that before a production, Matthews would send handwritten cards to every member of a production’s cast and crew, “lauding the unique accomplishments and gifts the student brought to the production.”
School of the Art Institute of Chicago science professor Dianne Jedlicka worked on lighting and sound for student productions, and picked up on Matthews’ advice to performers on communications.
“I never thought I would act but here I am now, a college professor, teaching students all about life processes (and) I have fun passing this knowledge on because of how (she) coached us on presentation and making each sentence, gesture and silence count as a form of communication,” Jedlicka said. “One of my favorite college classes to teach is animal behavior and I employ many of (her) techniques in my delivery of the science.”
Despite Matthews’ high profile at Sandburg as a theater director, she was disinclined to accept recognition for her work, said Thompson Brandt, a former student who later became a colleague as an orchestra director for Sandburg productions.
“This is a rare character trait for stage directors, not often shared by others in the craft,” Brandt said. “Marianne was among the finest faculty members that Carl Sandburg High School produced.”
Moran recalled Matthews’ practical nature and generosity when it came to making productions happen.
“Marianne brought in her wedding dress when we needed one for a costume, and she brought in her dining room furniture for ‘The Miracle Worker,’” Moran said. “Marianne never lost sight of the fact that she was working with students, and that their experience and learning topped everything. She did not hesitate to cast against type or to give extra time to a student when it was needed.”
After retiring from Sandburg in 2001, Matthews volunteered at the Hinsdale Public Library, and also enjoyed theater outings, her niece said.
Matthews is survived by her husband, Jim.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, at St. Cletus Catholic Church, 600 W. 55th St., La Grange.
Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.
