Bernadine Matton's Obituary
Bernadine Matton, 89 a resident of Methuen, MA died at Highpoint Hospice in Haverhill on Monday October 28, 2024. She was born in Lawrence, MA on October 15, 1935. She was born to Patrick and Nona (O’Brien) Ford. Bernadine was educated in Lawrence, MA and a graduate of Lawrence High School and later received her degree in Business Management from Northern Essex College in Haverhill. She began her career at John Hancock Companies in Boston, MA before pausing on to her career to raise her family. Later, returning to work at John Hancock Mosely & Associates in North Andover & Andover where she worked until her retirement.
Bernie met Raymond Matton from Andover in high school, and they later married in 1956. Spending time in West Virginia during Raymond’s time in the Navy they returned to Lawrence and later settled in Methuen to raise their three children. They spent 47 years happily married prior to his death in 2013. Those years were not easy with Raymond having developed Multiple Sclerosis and Bernadine set a high bar for being a caretaker and loving spouse. They both exemplified resilience and loyalty. Bernie was known for not only being an excellent cook but an outstanding baker. She would often cook big family meals and if you didn’t save room for at least two or three types of desserts you would be reminded the next time. Bernadine had many special friendships that she maintained for a lifetime whether it be from grade school or neighbors met along the way. In recent years Janice Gosselin and Mary Keleher have been her companions, often going on jaunts around the area and trying new places to dine.
Bernadine is survived by her children Mary Rae Smith, Falmouth; Thomas J Matton, Hampton; and Patricia (Keith) David of Haverhill; her grandchildren Patrick (Kathryn) Smith, Brendan (Rachel) Smith, Meghan (Andrew) Kenney, Mikaela (Christopher) Gondolfo, Skyler (Matthew) Persico, Kailee David and Tayla David; Great-grandchildren Brayden & Brielle Smith, Beau & Lainey Smith, Christopher (CJ) & Hanna Gondolfo, Matthew & Elaina Persico and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son-in-law Shawn Smith and her siblings and their spouses John F (Sophia) Ford, Naureen (Robert) Roy, Patricia (Paul) Hopkins, and William Ford, her sister-in-law Elaine (Paul) Montague.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. in St. Monica’s Church, 212 Lawrence, St., Methuen, MA. Entombment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Chapel Mausoleum in Lawrence, MA. Family and friends are invited to call Saturday ptior to the funeral mass from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, MA. To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.
In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 101A First Avenue, Suite 6, Waltham, MA, 02451-1115 or to: Breast Cancer - donate.cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345.
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