Ruth E. Matthews

Claryville, NY

Ruth E. Matthews of Claryville, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. She was 83.

The daughter of Willard and Leona Slater Damanda Lounsbury, she was born February 3, 1925 in South Fallsburg, NY.

Ruth worked as a bookkeeper for many, many years for several different businesses and served as treasurer for many years for the Catskill Art Society and Claryville Reformed Church. She was an active member of the Claryville Reformed Church. She was also involved in many different organizations over the years, some of which include The Revonah Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, Sullivan County Historical Society, Tri-Valley Lions, The Claryville Quilters, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Catskill Art Society, Associate Member of the Claryville Fire Dept., First Friday Reading Group at the Daniel Pierce Library, and Studio Monday Art Group. She was known by most as "Grandma Matthews". She was very proud of her independence and was most proud of her family, especially her grandson, Matt who serves in the U.S. Army, currently deployed in Iraq.

She leaves behind: one son, Thomas Matthews and his wife, Connie; one daughter, Dale E. Matthews, all of Claryville; five grandchildren: Bridget Hurwitz and her husband, Marc of Woodbourne, NY, Lori Borden and her husband, Kevin of Belfast, NY, Thomas "Matt" Matthews and his wife, Katrina of Fort Drum, NY, Jamie Burleson and her husband, Travis of Webster, NY, and Corinne Albertina and her husband, Cory of Rocky Point, NY; ten great-grandchildren: Britney, Jenna, Trey Matthews, Cody, Samantha, Matthew Borden, Adam, Maegan Shaina Hurwitz, and Cecelia Albertina; one brother, Duane Damanda and his wife, Pat of New Windsor, NY; one nephew, Duane Damanda of New Windsor, NY; niece, Debra and Darren Salisbury; grand-nieces, Samantha of Carmel, NY, Dawn and Robert Drake, and great-nephew, Tyler of New Windsor, NY; her dear companion, Orvis Vannatta of Narrowsburg, NY; many cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Lynn A. Matthews, who died in 1967.

A celebration of Ruth's life will be held on Friday, July 18, at 10 a.m. at the Claryville Reformed Church, Claryville, NY, followed by a gathering at the Claryville Fire Department Hall and Pavilion area.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in "Grandma's" name to the Claryville Reformed Church and/or Claryville Fire Department.

Arrangements by Colonial Memorial Funeral Home. For further information, please call 845-434-7363 or visit our website at www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com.