Matthew Mowrer Lane was ushered into this world by the Blue Angels as they rattled the windows at Swedish Hospital on July 30, 1991.

He grew up loving them, playing in the Mercer Island parks, swimming in Lake Washington and at his grandparents’ beach place. Brothers Morgan and Connor influenced his taste in music, video games, and travel and fondly called him “little bro”. He graduated Mercer Island High School where he played in the MIHS steel drum band. Matt had many gifts; he was self -taught on the guitar and piano; a gourmet cook who cooked Chinese feasts and spoke excellent Mandarin. Matt was a kind and gentle person who valued helping others by carrying groceries, opening doors or mediating disputes. He loved working with the kids at the MI Boys and Girls Club, teaching them respect and responsibility. He loved pets – his or anybody else’s! As a little boy, he cherished our black Lab Elvis.

At 18, Matt left home to attend university in Beijing. He blossomed into an entrepreneur, perfected his Mandarin, became a master ping-pong player, and met the love of his life Jian Wang (Yilin). He and Yilin were married 5 years and spent happy times in Seattle where Matt introduced Yilin to the beauty and cuisine of Seattle. This was the Matt we all knew and loved.

Matt developed clinical depression; we sadly watched as he changed and we did all that we knew to help. He fought hard through the pain but was robbed of his ability to cope on October 4th. We will not allow the tragedy of depression to override our fond memories of our loving Matthew.

Matt is survived by his beloved wife Yilin; his mother Rebecca Stinson-Lane, his brothers Morgan (Emily) Stinson and Connor (Kasey) Stinson, his Aunt Sue Mowrer and Uncle Scott (Jeannie) Mowrer; and his Dwarf Lop bunnies. His family and friends both here and in Alaska mourn their loss.

In memory of Matt, order an iced Doppio at Starbucks and be kind; hold fast to your loved ones.

Donations can be made to The Seattle Humane Society (Bellevue Branch) or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.