Mary Ann Matthews

Mary Ann (nee Gedraitis) Matthews, age 91, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2025, at Franciscan Place in Brookfield, Wisconsin with family at her bedside.

Born on March 15,1934, in LaSalle, Illinois, Mary Ann was the daughter of John Gedraitis and Mary (Daley) Gedraitis, of Oglesby, Illinois. She grew up in a loving and hard-working Lithuanian family and carried those strong family values and traits throughout her life.

In 1957, Mary Ann earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Miami and went on to dedicate 52 years to a career in various fields of nursing, serving patients with compassion, skill, and unwavering commitment. In addition to her nursing work, she also spent years as an elementary school teacher at John F. Kennedy School in Spring Valley, Illinois, sharing her love of health and education with kindness with young students.

A devoted Catholic, Mary Ann was a practicing member of St. John Vianney Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Her faith and dedication to the unborn was a cornerstone of her life and a source of comfort and strength.

She is survived by her sons, James E. (Bud) Matthews of Lannon, Wisconsin (married to Sandy Lehn of Hollowayville, Illinois) and John A. Matthews of Livermore, California (married to Tami Nelson of Livermore, California). She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, four sisters, and her beloved daughter Catherine T. Matthews, formerly of St. Paul, Minnesota. Mary Ann was deeply proud of her grandchildren - Wesley Matthews (married to Natalie Murphy) of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin; Melissa Matthews of Boston, Massachusetts; Nick Matthews of St. Louis Park, Minnesota; Michaela Matthews of St. Paul, Minnesota; Julia Matthews and Sophia Matthews, both of Livermore, California. She was blessed with three great-grandchildren, Nora (11), James (9), and Abby (6), Matthews of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin who brought her great joy and laughter.

Mary Ann had a lifelong love of animals, especially dogs, who were a constant source of companionship and happiness throughout her life.

Mary Ann will be remembered for her caring spirit, her lifelong dedication to the unborn, helping others, and the love she showed to her family and friends. Her legacy of faith, compassion, and strength will live on in all who knew her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 1755 N. Calhoun Rd., Brookfield, Wisconsin, at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Human Life International (www.hli.org) in support of Mary Ann's lifelong commitment to the sanctity of life, or to Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org) in honor of her love for dogs. A Christian burial of ashes will be held at St. Anne's Cemetery in Spring Valley, Ilinois on Friday, June 12, 2026, to celebrate her life and honor her memory.

Church and Chapel Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information, please call 262-786-8030 or visit www.churchandchapel.com to view the online obituary or leave condolences.