Caring, inquisitive, and adventurous, Ann was a friend to all her 1968 classmates—and an estate gift will support future generations of Tigers globally
Ann La Rue Matlow ’68 made her debut as class secretary in the Spring 1987 edition of Occidental magazine. (“The response to the questionnaire I sent you in February was gratifying,” she wrote. “Thank you for responding and especially for your thoughts on turning 40.”) Over the next 37 years, she became the “glue" for the Class of 1968, meticulously tracking classmates’ lives and fostering friendships.
Ann often said her years at Occidental greatly influenced her life, and in June 2023—at her class’ milestone 55th reunion— she was recognized by the Fifty Year Club for her dedication to the College. “Ann was best at drawing out stories, helping each of us share more than we intended,” says Jim Rough ’68, who initially recommended Ann to serve as class secretary. Ann “loved” the role, he adds: “She helped each of us stay connected to our college experience and to Oxy as it is today.”
Ann passed away on May 6, 2024, in New York City, with her husband of 34 years, Dave, by her side. On July 14, Ann’s friends and family—including at least a dozen of her fellow Tigers—gathered in Westport, Conn., for a memorial. Dave created a photographic slideshow of Ann’s life spanning seven decades of memories, and Cathy Todd ’68 spoke of her Occidental years.
But her Oxy story doesn’t end there. An estate gift to the College will establish the Ann La Rue Matlow ’68 Endowed Scholarship Fund for International Students. This fund will provide financial aid to students of exceptional academic ability from secondary schools abroad who, in the College’s judgment, will contribute to the diversity of views and perspectives on campus.
Ann’s work as an immigration lawyer prompted her and Dave to create the scholarship utilizing a blended planned gift, which combines a bequest and a charitable remainder unitrust. The Matlows’ gift is one of only a handful to directly support Oxy’s vibrant international student community.
Born in New York City and raised in Stockton, Ann majored in political science at Occidental and earned her law degree from Fordham University in 1975. She forged a distinguished 30-year career in corporate and immigration law, retiring in 2006 as a partner at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, a global immigration firm.
“When you were talking with her, she had the ability to make you feel that you were her best friend,” says Julie Bryant ’68, who took the mantle of class secretary after Ann’s passing. “I personally credit her with inspiring me to become a lawyer. She said to me something like, ‘If I can do it, so can you.’”
Ann’s intellectual curiosity extended beyond law. She adored international travel, studying at Cambridge University each summer for the last 15 years of her life. Friends such as Bryant and Nora (Larimer) ’68 and Mike Davidson ’67 joined her there. She explored Egypt, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and even visited Alaska with her fellow Tigers. “We felt privileged to meet all her international friends and take part in this wonderful experience,” Nora says.
Carolyn Taylor ’68 describes Ann as “curious, caring, and generous,” recalling how her handwritten postcards sustained many friendships over the years. “Any time my travels took me to Manhattan we would have martinis and dinner and compare notes on life,” adds Charles McClintock ’68. “There was no better friend than Ann.”
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Ann’s humor and empathy left an indelible mark. Even when she was hospitalized in her final days, she emailed Terry Burnes ’68 with the subject line “Nosey Till the End,” seeking out an update on a mutual friend’s romantic life. “To me, this captures Ann perfectly—persistently curious about us all, but also clear-eyed self-awareness expressed with humor,” Terry says.
“I got to know Ann better after Oxy than I did at Oxy,” Steve Cooper ’68 explains. “We would meet in New York City two or three times a year, have lunch, exchange information, and talk about the past, present, and future. She always had super interesting ways of looking at the world. We were in the process of scheduling our next lunch when she ran out of time.”
In the Fall 2024 Occidental magazine, classmates shared their memories of Ann over nearly 2½ pages in the class notes—a memorial that would have pleased her immensely. “For all her sweetness of temperament, she was very crafty,” Nancy (Wilson) Artz ’68 recalls. “And she wanted the Class of 1968 to always have the most entries!” Thanks to her generosity, Ann’s legacy will endure beyond the pages of the magazine.
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Top photo: Ann La Rue Matlow '68 and husband Dave.
