January 23, 1940 - November 5, 2015

Naples, FL - Gloria Jeanne Matthews, 75, passed away peacefully at the NCH Hospital with her family at her side on Thursday, November 5, 2015.

Jeanne, as she preferred to be called, was born in Claremont, NH, on January 23, 1940, to the late Sidney E. and Elaine P. Young. Jeanne graduated from Springfield High School, Springfield, VT in 1958. On July 26, 1958, Jeanne married James Matthews Jr. at the Congregational Church in Springfield, VT.

Jim and Jeanne moved to Andover, MA, where Jim was employed at Raytheon, however soon moved back to Springfield to take over the operation of Matthews Superette in North Springfield. They continued to live in Springfield until 1967 when they moved to Morrisville, NY. In 1972 they moved to Minoa, NY and in 1978 moved to Saratoga Springs, NY. In August they moved to Naples after wintering there for the past five years.

Jeanne was an avid bridge player and took great pride in teaching a number of her friends how to play. She played in a number of groups including a couples group in Morrisville, which included the pastor of the local Presbyterian Church. He often announced the winners during his Sunday morning service. She started a Bunco group in Saratoga Springs which continued for a number of years. She hosted the annual December game, as Christmas was her special time of the year. She had a large collection of Dept. 56 Dickens Village pieces which were displayed in lighted cases year round in the family formal living room.

Jeanne also enjoyed working outdoors in her flower beds. She even engaged her next door neighbor to develop floral beds between the houses. Jeanne had a passion for cooking and spent a lifetime collecting recipes from relatives, friends and those which were published.

In July, Jeanne was presented a Paul Harris Fellow Award at a Rotary gathering which she was very pleased to receive. She attended many Rotary functions during the over 40 years that Jim was a Rotarian in the various communities in which they resided. She was a friend for the Empty Stocking Project sponsored by the Saratoga Children’s Committee for many years.

Jeanne worked in her family furniture business during the time when Jim was attending college. In Morrisville, Jeanne operated a private nursery school, licensed by the state for six years. She then was employed by Dunk n Bright Furniture Company, Syracuse, where she worked in sales and interior decorating. Upon moving to Saratoga Springs, she was employed by the Mayfair Furniture Company, Albany where more of her efforts were on interior decorating in the Capital District area. Jeanne continued work in furniture at G. Heath King in Saratoga. Her last employment was with DE Jonghe Original Jewelry in Saratoga.

In addition to her parents, Jeanne was preceded in death by her step-mother, Miriam Young, and her brother Sidney P. Young. Survivors include her loving extended family, husband Jim, son James Matthews III of Lee’s Summit, MO. and his wife Denise, daughter Jamie L. Pietrosanto of Saratoga Springs and her husband Jeffrey Pietrosanto, son Jay E. Matthews of Ballwin, MO. and his wife Jennifer, brother Gary Young of Florence, VT. and his wife Julie, grandchildren, Alyssa Pietrosanto, Bryan Pietrosanto and Kyle Matthews.

Calling hours will be held at Burke & Bussing Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, from 4:00 P.M.- 7:00 P.M on Thursday, November 12, 2015.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, November 13, 2015 at the funeral home.

Burial will take place Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at the Oakland Cemetery, Springfield, VT.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Saratoga Hospital, 211 Church St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or the International Rotary Foundation, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201-3698

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.