Karen Mattson leaves lasting legacy

By Abigail Allen

Editor & Publisher

Karen Mattson spent her life serving others.

       The 49-year-old Providence Village woman served as the Lovepacs Aubrey community leader for five years while also serving as the hospitality chairwoman for the Monaco Elementary Parent Teacher Organization and additional volunteer work throughout the area.

       “It's really those of us who called her friend that really saw and felt the extraordinary greatness she brought every day,” Monaco PTO President Jennifer Kelley said. “There has never been, nor will there be another like her. She was one of a kind, and I'm so thankful for each moment with her.”

       Karen, who took over the role of community leader in 2019, saw the work the organization did grow along with the need not only in the Aubrey ISD area, but also along both U.S. 380 and north on U.S. 377.

       She expanded the service area for the nonprofit, which focuses on fighting food insecurity in school-age children, from Aubrey ISD and the Braswell Zone within Denton ISD into Pilot Point ISD, and she dreamed of expanding it further into Tioga and Collinsville ISDs.

       As she worked to increase awareness about the organization’s mission, Karen implemented an Adopt-a-Box program for families and organizations to compile complete boxes to donate.

       In a Post-Signal interview in 2019, Karen said, “It was important to have those heart-to-heart, hard conversations with our kids about hardships, life struggles and the lack of basic needs within our community, and that comes with the activity that is involved.”

       She encouraged kids, either as student groups, church groups, organizations or individuals, to help prepare the boxes.

       “She really inspired kids to get involved,” said Lacrica Olson, who got to know Karen through bringing her daughter and other Pilot Point FFA students to volunteer through Lovepacs Aubrey.

       Karen taught the kids the why behind the service, “because you never know if it's your classmate, your friend, your neighbor who might need help,” Olson said.

       “It was important that they understood that they weren't just packing a box,” she said. “That it actually was going to someone who was in need.”

       Another love of Karen's was caring for and feeding the teachers at Monaco Elementary School, where her son Gabriel Mattson attended kindergarten through fifth grade.

       She continued to serve on the Monaco PTO board until her death, preparing to serve the teachers, administrators and staff even though her son had moved onto Aubrey Middle School as a sixth grader.

       “I can’t quite put into words what she means to me and to our school,” Kelley said. “Karen breathed life into everything she touched, and everyone she loved.”

       Former Monaco Elementary Principal Barbara Pitt agreed, expressing gratitude for how she served the staff and kids alike.

       “Karen’s tireless drive to alleviate the food insecurities of children in Aubrey and her service to others will be deeply missed,” she said. “It was her mission to make sure no child in Aubrey would be hungry.”

       Karen's volunteer efforts also included being a co-founder of the Providence Village Hope Foundation along with her husband Eric Mattson, a member of the Lake Ray Roberts Rotary Club and an active volunteer at the Pilot Point Community Center's activities for seniors.

       After her unexpected death, Karen's friends kicked off a campaign encouraging people to “Be Like Karen,” designing a shirt that on the back reads “Be selfless, kind, giving, funny, strong, an advocate, a friend.”

       “We love you Karen,” wrote Jana Witherspoon, a friend of Karen's and one of the teachers she served. “You were so much to so many and we will carry your legacy on.”

       Proceeds from the T-shirt sales will go toward Lovepacs-Aubrey at her family's request.

       At the Providence Village Town Council meeting Tuesday, Mayor Linda Inman spoke of the impact Karen had on the surrounding area.

       “[She] was a staple to our community,” Inman said. “… Our town is going to miss her so much for all that she's done for not only the residents here, but all of the children who come into our town for school and the areas around us.”

       Inman went into greater detail about her longtime friend  who “just embodied the spirit of Providence Village” on Wednesday.

       “It’s incredible how one person can make such an impact on so many,” Inman said.

       Inman, too, has been involved with Lovepacs for several years, and she saw it blossom in Karen’s care.

       “Whoever fills that position will definitely have some huge, huge, huge shoes to fill,” Inman said.

       The town leadership plans to honor Karen’s memory through a day of service alongside Lovepacs Aubrey that will be called “Karen Mattson Day.” 

       Karen's funeral service is set for 5 p.m. Friday, with a broadcast available at www.graceavenue.org.