Irene Mary Matthews

Irene Mary Matthews formerly of Dracut; 84 West Palm Beach, FL Irene Mary (Cannon) Matthews, 84, a resident of West Palm Beach, FL, died Saturday June 21st at her home. She was married on June 6, 1947 at St. Michael Church in Lowell to the late Frederick W. Matthews who died in 1983. She was born in Chelmsford on August 13, 1923, and was a daughter of the late Peter T. and Lillian R. (LeBelle) Cannon. Irene was raised and educated in Dracut and was a graduate of Dracut High School. She also graduated at the top of her class from the first Licensed Practical Nurse class to graduate from Lowell Trade School in 1965. Prior to her retirement, she was employed as an LPN by D'Youville Senior Care, Pelham Manor, now Sunbridge at Glenwood, and Fairhaven Nursing Home, all in Lowell. After retiring she and her husband moved to Seabrook, NH. After her husband passed away she moved to Newburyport, MA and then to West Palm Beach, FL, where she lived with her daughter Betsy. In her free time she enjoyed knitting and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by her five children, Cathy L. Morin and her husband Richard of Concord, NH, Robert F. Matthews and his wife Jeannine of of Dracut, Frederick W. Matthews Jr. and his wife Rose of Dracut, David P. Matthews of Pepperell, and Betsy A. Kelly and her husband Daniel of West Palm Beach, FL, with whom she resided; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; three sisters Louise Deignan of VT, Claire Gilmore and her husband Robert of FL and Lillian Annis and her husband Norman of NH; and several nieces and nephews. She was also the sister of the late Ruth Stuart and Evelyn Shea. MATTHEWS Friends may call at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT, on Friday from 4 until 8 PM. Her funeral will be held from the funeral home on Saturday at 8 AM, followed by her Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 9 AM at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Dracut. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery in Newburyport. For online condolences and directions visit dracutfuneralhome.com