Nancy C. Matras

Nancy C. Matras (nee Baratta). Nancy Matras passed away at the Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio on June 8, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Nancy was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 18, 1941, the second youngest daughter of Berardino and Carmella (Millie) Baratta. On June 26, 1965, she married the love of her life, Ben Matras, a union of almost 59 years.
(Nancy wrote the following prior to her passing.) Thank you to everyone helping me on my flight to Heaven, especially to my loving husband of 58 years, Ben (Boleslaua); to my loving children, Joseph (deceased 11/20/2020), Kathleen Kopyt and her husband Frank of New Hartford, New York, Daniel and his significant other, Dee of Medina, Ohio; and to the best, fantastic 10 grandchildren; Brianna Knisley (Jake), Adam, Michael, Olivia, Matthew (Ryan), Nicholas, Kara, Dominic, Giuliana, and Anthony; dear sisters Mary (deceased), Rose Ann Medders (deceased) and Janice Bacher and husband Gerald (Jerry) of Parma Heights, Ohio; loving sister-in-law Mary Cernuska of Star Junction, Pennsylvania, and Irene Matras of Brook Park, Ohio and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and Godchildren all whom were loved deeply. Nancy's picture wall of grandchildren includes the three dear Morrow girls, Elyse, Renna, and Maddie. Nancy remained friends all her life with her classmates from St. Procops and St. Roccos. As her family, we were touched by the fact that what she left to include was a thank you. This gratefulness exemplifies who she was.
Nancy's life was rooted in faith. She served as a church sacristan at St. Charles Catholic Church, preparing the altar and vessels for the Mass and sacraments. She was a church secretary at Our Lady of Lourdes, where she enjoyed the office company of a very slobbery great dane, Jack. She became a eucharistic minister at both St. Charles and more recently at St. Ambrose. Nancy loved music, so much so that she joined several hand bell choirs, including those at St. Charles, St. Ambrose, St. Columbkille, and even one group at a Lutheran church. Recently, in her call to serve others, she wanted to join the group that prepared and served meals for funerals at St. Ambrose.
One of the most important priorities in Nancy's life was her role as a grandmother. She took the time to connect with each of her grandchildren by learning from them about their individual interests, whether it was pasta making, researching the family history, music, art, museums, sports, gardening, or playing games like cornhole, golf, or cards-most especially pinochle. She was the fun grandma, and all those memories she made with them will be cherished!
Nancy enjoyed holiday baking. She would be sure to bake each of her children and grandchildren's favorite cookies every year, letting them all know how special and loved they were.
When Nancy's loved ones or friends would call her on the phone and ask, "How are you?" her answer was always the same: "Festive". As the call was ending, she would say "I love you more than all the m&m's in the world". She loved chocolate, and her friends and family could always recognize her car by the famous Malley's CHOC sticker on the rear window.
Nancy fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a private airplane pilot at age 65. She was also a proud member of the Lake Erie Chapter of the Ninety-Nines and volunteered as trainwoman with the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Nancy made instant friends wherever she went, but she had treasured friends from both of these groups in particular.
Nancy was adventurous, loved having fun, and spending time with people. Her good-natured sense of humor, friendly smile, and easy laugh made everyone who knew her feel welcomed into her loving circle. She was a lifelong learner, always looking up information she wanted to know more about and sharing it with her loved ones.
The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the Seidman Cancer Center. Also, a special thank you is extended to Berni McQuigg and Bonnie Biacsi for all the support in helping Nancy get the best care possible. Thank you also to Donna Matras for her support in caring for Ben while Mom was receiving medical care.
A memorial visitation for friends and family will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m. at O'Connor Busch Funeral Home, 5904 Ridge Road, Parma, Ohio. A mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2024, at St. Charles Catholic Church, 5891 Ridge Rd, Parma, Ohio.
Prior to her passing, Nancy suggested that anyone who would like to make a memorial donation might choose the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, https://www.cvsr.org/donate, the Lake Erie Science Center, https://tinyurl.com/NancyScienceCenterDonation, or The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society of Cleveland, https://tinyurl.com/LeukemiaLymphomaDonation.