Hannah Lynn Mattison, 15, of Gilbert passed away on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, the result of a single car accident on the Beeline Highway near Fort McDowell. On her last day of this life, Hannah spent a very happy day with several of her friends hiking, mountain climbing and repelling. All are invited to a special gathering of family and friends at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, at Discovery Park, located at 2214 E. Pecos Road in Gilbert (cater-cornered from the Gilbert Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), where a Celebration of Hannah’s Life will be commemorated with a grand balloon release. Additionally, all are invited to attend a public memorial service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Gilbert Greenfield Stake Center of the LDS church, located at 2740 S. Lindsay Road in Gilbert. With her family surrounding her open grave, Hannah will quietly be laid to rest during a private service at the City of Mesa Cemetery.
She was born on Friday, Feb. 23, 2001, at Mesa Lutheran Hospital in Mesa to Lance Wayne and Lisa Arlene (Rogers) Mattison.
At the time of her death, Hannah had most recently begun her sophomore year at Gilbert High School. In 2015, she graduated from South Valley Junior High School in Gilbert. In junior high, Hannah was a cheerleader and was well liked by the entire student body. She was a physically active young woman and loved to dance, especially jazz and contemporary. She was always a good student. She was looking forward to starting the EVIT Cosmetology Program next year and loved to give her friends makeovers.
Hannah was a junk food “junkie” and really liked to eat her cookie dough! Never one to mind a long road trip, she loved going to the beaches in California. She was quite the “fashionista” as well. She had a bright orange fanny pack that would make her stand out in any crowd. Hannah was blessed with a gift in that she loved creating her own sketch patterns with the hopes of one day making and designing her own clothes. She enjoyed doodling and made many beautiful designs doing so. She has designed and made several handbags and purses over the years, and, even though she loved her a lot, Hannah did have a hard time sharing her wardrobe with her sister. Now, however, her sister, Kalli, will treasure her fashion creations.
Hannah loved spending time with her friends. Frequently, they would get ice cream and sit in the parking lot of the Gilbert Temple just enjoying each other’s company, talking and taking in the beauty of that sacred place. She was an active member of the Gilbert Crossroads Park Ward, and was always willing and happy to go to church with her family. She had nearly completed her Young Women’s Personal Progress Program. At the conclusion of her freshman year of high school, Hannah received a certificate of completion for her Seminary attendance. She loved the Young Women’s program of the church and the friendships that she made there. She enjoyed going to the Gilbert Temple, where she enjoyed the privilege of doing baptisms for the dead. She always felt a special and sacred spirit when she participated in that holy work.
Though she did have a lot of love to give, Hannah was never one to be overly demonstrative with her feelings and affections. Her dad said, “Snuggling with her was always extra special, because of this.” Her mom added, “Because she was not overly affectionate, when she did come to lay her head on me, or give me T-Rex hugs, it made those moments all the more tender.” Her family is grateful for the knowledge that they have in knowing that Families Are Forever.
Survivors include her parents, Lance and Lisa Mattison of Gilbert; three siblings, Brendon Mattison, Kalli Mattison and Noah Mattison, all of Gilbert; her grandparents, Allen and Gail (O’Donnal) Mattison of Gilbert, Barbara and Gary Nelson of Heber, and Norman and Sandy Rogers of Glendale; her paternal aunts and uncles, Keith and Tara Mattison of Mesa, and Max and Dawn Mattison, Jeff and Keely Mattison, and Penny and Jeff Crandall, all of Gilbert; her maternal aunts and uncles, Tim and Mago Rogers of Queen Creek, Chris and Michelle Rogers of Layton, Utah, Clay and Lindsey Rogers of Phoenix, Kelly and Sheri Rogers of Mesa, Kathy and Jake Chamberlain of Heber, and Julie and Troy Garlock of Gilbert; 44 first cousins; and five first cousins once removed.
She was preceded in death by an uncle, David Rogers; and a cousin, Mark Mattison.
Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low was in charge of the arrangements.
