Obituary of Jeanne B. Matthews

Jeanne Brooks Matthews, 85, loving and devoted mother and grandmother, died on Saturday after a short stay in the hospital. A native of Swansea, Wales, she resided in Baldwinsville for many years until her passing. Mrs. Matthews received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wales, and taught math and physical education in England until she moved to the US in 1963. She trained with the British Gymnastic Team and was an avid tennis and netball player. She was very involved in the lives of her family and always went out of her way to help anyone who asked. For the past 40 years she was a Figure Skating Judge for the US Figure Skating Assoc. and was one of a handful of people on the East coast qualified to judge skaters on their International level tests. She travelled extensively for her judging and frequently judged test sessions and competitions from the Syracuse area; to Lake Placid, NY; to Wilmington, Delaware; to Rochester and Buffalo area clubs, easily logging 40,000 miles a year for her voluntary contribution to the sport. Jeanne Matthews met her husband, John H. Matthews, former SU professor, when they were only 12 years old. They were inseparable until his passing in 1987, enjoying 45 years together with 32 years as husband and wife. She was predeceased by her son, Jonathan Matthews in 2004, and by her brother Gerald Brooks (Germany) in 1989. She is survived by her daughters Annette (John) Keil of Canastota and Sian (Robert) Boycheck of Baldwinsville, her daughter-in-law Clara Matthews (DelVecchio) of Baldwinsville, her granddaughter Melissa Matthews, her grandsons John Matthews, Steven Keil, Kenneth Keil, and Matthew Boycheck, and several nieces and nephews in the United Kingdom and in Germany. Calling hours will be Saturday April, 2 from 1 to 4 pm at Goddard-Crandall-Shepardson Funeral Home, 3111 James St, Syracuse. There will be a short service at the funeral home immediately following the calling hours. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Hope Lodge in NY City. Donations can be made online at https://donate.cancer.org/index?campaign=hl08nyny