Obituary of Joan M. Matthews

Joan M. Matthews, our beautiful and loving mother was reunited with our beloved LORD on February 13, 2023. Joan was surrounded by her loving children, dearest friend of 84 years, Josephine Michel. Joan was born to Irish, Catholic parents, Michael and Nora Daly on December 4, 1931, in New York. Joan is preceded in death by her loving husband Joseph Matthews and her brothers Michael (Frankie), Jack, Vinny and Jimmy. Joan was one of six children and at the age of 91, Joan is survived by her brother Donald Daly. As Joan celebrates her eternal life with God, she leaves behind her dearest friend, Josephine Michel, her children, Julie Yates (Johnnyspouse), Michael (Stephanie-spouse), Christine Matthews and three grandchildren Marques, Katelyn and Michael Jr.

Joan earned a teaching degree from Fordham University, in New York. While teaching at Burke Catholic High School, Joan graduated from Villanova University with her master’s degree. The next 20 years, Joan would spend at Burke Catholic High School teaching English and devoting her time to the students and community. It was in Joan’s 20’s she met her friends all who remained close to all her life. Any spare moment, Joan would spend with her parents and her brother’s families enjoying every holiday and special occasions. God’s plan and vision for Joan to be a wife and mother besides being an educator and principal would all happen; when Joan met the love of her life, Joseph Matthews. Together, with their love for God, they married and started a family. Our loving mother’s desire for children allowed us to be raised as her very own; she never treated us as adopted orphans. As she raised her family, Joan would take a teaching position at Central Islip High School. It was here Joan would meet her loving friends, Loretta and Gail. Joan loved teaching English and soon would be named the Coordinator of the English Department. Being a teacher and mother were Joan’s two favorite roles in her life. Along with a loving marriage and unconditional love for family; Joan raised her family surrounding them with aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides of the family. After she retired from teaching at Central Islip for 20 years, our parents moved to Florida. Here she would travel to Ireland, across the United States with Joe and Jo. She would volunteer at St. Joseph’s school, in the community and helping the sick in their home. Joan’s life was a testament of her love for teaching, friends and endless love for her family and strong Catholic faith. She lived her life following and pleasing the LORD with all her heart and soul. As we witnessed our mother’s love for GOD, it’s clear; our mother was an angel, a saint amongst us. She’ll be remembered as servant of God who loved her life and lived it with a gentle, loving and humble heart.

Her Viewing will be on February 25, 2023, at 10 am at St. Joseph’s Chapel in Winter Haven. Her funeral will also be at St. Joseph’s Chapel starting at 10: 30 am. Joan will also have her ashes blessed in a Christian Mass, at St. Matthew Church in Winter Haven to be announced within a week. At St. Matthew Church, Joan will be placed with her husband, Joseph Matthews in the Columbarium.