Jo-Ann Matthews, a 55 year resident of Tuxedo Park, NY, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 1, 2024. She was 78 years old.
Born in Warwick, NY on October 19, 1945, she was the second of ten children born to Jacobus G. and Johanna (nee Blei) B. Pennings.
Jo-Ann attended St. John’s Primary and St. John’s (John S. Burke) Catholic School (Goshen, NY) and went on to graduate from Elizabeth Seton College (Yonkers, NY) with an Associate Degree in Applied Science. Professionally she trained and graduated from Eastern Airlines In-Flight Training Center (Miami, FL) and worked as a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines. Jo-Ann was elected by secret ballot by her airline training class as “Gibson Girl”, an award for the graduate who exemplifies the most poise, charm and beauty. Prior to starting a family with her then husband, Edward J. Matthews, Jr. of Boston, MA, her flight career took her around the globe, mostly to Europe’s capitols and the Eastern seaboard of the U.S. Jo-Ann’s later avocations included expressing her artistic talents in interior decorating with specialty wallpapers, floral arranging, CCD Teacher, farm market manager and staying active by taking long walks and visiting with neighbors.
Jo-Ann was a dedicated homemaker, wife, and a devoted mother of four. She was a selfless community volunteer in Tuxedo Park and Warwick for decades, be it the local Garden Clubs, churches, Parent Teacher Organizations and more. Family and community were everything to Jo-Ann.
Jo-Ann leaves to grieve, her three sons and their families: Kristian Matthews and his wife Lee Ann of Warwick, NY; Edward Joseph “E.J.” Matthews, III and his partner Gabriela S. Ghirawoo of Tuxedo Park, NY; and Jacob “Jake” Pennings Matthews and his wife Yasmin of Tuxedo Park, NY; grandchildren: Evan, Kristian, and Adrian; siblings: Marie Pennings of Warwick, John ‘Jack” Pennings, Richard Pennings, Stephanie Yungman, Michael A. Pennings, Christine Schuster of Mesa, AZ, Stephen Pennings, and Adrianne Pennings of Long Beach, CA; many nieces and nephews; and former husband Edward Matthews, Jr. of Tuxedo Park. Jo-Ann was predeceased by her daughter Blei McCarron Matthews and brother Adrian Pennings.
The family would like to thank Jo-Ann’s caregivers at Promenade at Tuxedo assisted living, United Hospice, Inc. of Orange & Rockland, and Jo-Ann's private caregivers who selflessly provided comfort and companionship in her final months.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at St. Stephen’s RC Church, 75 Sanfordville Road, Warwick. To view the Mass live online at the scheduled time, use this link: https://ststephenchurchwarwick.org/livestreams Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Tuxedo Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 726, Tuxedo, NY 10987 and/or United Hospice of Rockland & Orange, 42 Park Place, Goshen NY 10924.