Sheran Ann Matson

Sheran Ann Matson passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the age of 81.

Born on Wednesday, February 24, 1943, in Pierre, South Dakota, to Robert Warren Matson and Bernadine Meta (Bierschenk) Matson. She moved to Albuquerque in 1980 with her son, Michael Neessen. 

Sheran attended Mesa College for her Associate’s degree and graduated from the University of Iowa obtaining her Bachelor’s degree followed by her Master’s degree in Urban Planning. Upon moving to Albuquerque in 1980, she worked at a credit union before being employed by the City of Albuquerque for 20 years. She was a City Planner and served as the Chair of the City of Albuquerque Development Review Board before retiring in 2008. She also served on the board of directors for PB&J Family Services. She had very fond memories of her time mentoring a child through Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico. After retiring she found joy in volunteering at a school library reading to elementary students. 

A gifted painter, Sheran’s watercolor paintings of New Mexico’s beautiful landscapes won several awards at the New Mexico State Fair over the past 20 years. She loved animals and rescued many dogs and cats over the years. 

Sheran is survived by her son Michael (Jeff), of Albuquerque, NM; daughter, Jennifer (Jeff), of Dubuque, IA, and their children: Cody, Racheal, Alexis, and Aaron; son, Eric (Kim) of Westminster, CO, and their children: Jonathon, Mitchell, and Ben; sister, Jan (Richard) of Albuquerque, NM, and her children Chad, Ben (Lara); brother, Bob (Barb) of Spearfish, SD, and their children: Maggie (Matt) and Jens (Maria); several grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and her best friend Claire Senova of Ringwood, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Bernadine Matson of Albuquerque and her former husband Ronald Neessen of Denver, Iowa. 

A private family Memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that friends and loved ones make a donation in her name to the City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department  https://www.cabq.gov/pets/animal-welfare-home , PB & J Family Services https://pbjfamilyservices.org/ , or Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New Mexico https://www.bbbs-cnm.org/ .