Virginia Mattson

Virginia (Emery) Foss Mattson

Hermon and Orono, Maine: Virginia H. (Emery) Foss Mattson, 95, of Hermon and Dirigo Pines in Orono, widow of the late Paul E. Foss; Norman K. Mattson and Sylvanus R. (Junior) Tracy, Jr., passed away peacefully on January 30, 2026 following a brief stay at St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor.

She was born in Hampden, Maine on October 6, 1930, the daughter of Alvin and Thelma (Eastman) Emery.

Virginia enjoyed her family and friends throughout her active lifetime. Her pride and joy was the Cedarwood Registered Shetland Pony Farm established in the 1960's. She bought and sold Shetland ponies from Bow, New Hampshire. She was very successful when in-hands showing of her ponies and received many awards and ribbons. Her love of horses was passed down to her daughters and grandchildren who became members of the Penobscot Pony Club and were active at Puckerbrush Farms in Newburg. Many hours were spent traveling to three-day eventing locations and other equestrian activities. The love of horses brought her to the Bangor Agricultural Fair where she served as Marshall for the harness racing expedition. She also spent many years involved in other family businesses (Paul E. Foss Well Drilling, and Mattson's Mats). Virginia and Paul were members of the Maine Water Well Association. Virginia completed many successful deer hunting seasons and was proud of her competence with her hunting rifle. She was an avid snowmobiler and supported the Carmel Snowmobile Club. In later years, she was a happy RV traveler and camper. She was an avid supporter of the University of Maine Women's Basketball team for many years and regularly attended games at home and on the road. Dancing was important to Virginia. She and her spouses were active members of many dance group clubs in the area, including the Saturday Nighters Live Dance Band Club. Virginia was a regular attendee of the Hermon Baptist Church, and in earlier years the Hampden Baptist Church.

Virginia was predeceased by her parents, her husbands, Paul E. Foss, Norman K. Mattson, and Sylvanus R. (Junior)Tracy, Jr., her daughter, Pamela Foss Lounsbury, her grandson, David Eaton, and infant granddaughter, Dawn Marie Eaton.

She is survived by her daughter Nancy A. Foss Yasko and son-in-law John T. Yasko of Lunenburg, Massachusetts; granddaughter Michelle L. Eaton of Winterport: great granddaughters, Ashley M. Cookson and her husband Ajay Cookson of Glenburn, Sydney Deveau and Alex Deveau of Old Town; great, great grandchildren, Audrey and Axton Cookson and Grayson Deveau. Also surviving are the extended families of Norman K. Mattson - Kenneth W. Mattson, Lee Ann Mattson Zembower, Tracy Mattson Sigler, and Carrie Lu Mattson Corle; of State College PA, and the extended families of Sylvanus Tracy, Jr. - Linda Tracy of Mesa, AZ, and Pamela Cushing of Ellsworth.

Virginia's family would like to thank the staff at Dirigo Pines for their care and support of Virginia during her stay. She loved living in such a happy and active place. They also wish to thank the kind and caring staff of the Surgical Orthopedic Fourth Floor for their care and support during Virginia's stay at St. Joseph Hospital. The extraordinary care and support made a very difficult time much easier and is greatly appreciated.

Those who would like to remember Virginia in a special way may send contributions to Dirigo Pines Special Courtesy Vehicle Fund, in honor of Virginia Foss Mattson, 9 Alumni Drive, Orono, ME 04473 or to St. Joseph Special Fund for the benefit of the patient care staff. St. Joseph Hospital, 360 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401

A celebration of life will be held at the Hermon Baptist Church at 1 p.m., Saturday, February 7, 2026. Family and friends are invited to visit from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. when the service will begin.

Condolences may be shared and a complete obituary may be read at BrookingsSmith.com.