Elizabeth Matathia

Elizabeth (Minkin) Matathia, formerly of North Dartmouth, passed away on March 8, 2025 at Orchard Cove, a senior living community in Canton, MA at the age of 96. She was the devoted and beloved wife of the late David Matathia for 56 years.

Elizabeth, known as Betty, was born September 28, 1928, in New Bedford, MA to the late Samuel and Theresa Minkin. Raised in New Bedford, she graduated from New Bedford High School. After raising 4 children, she worked at the family’s garment business with her husband Dave, and brother-in-law Irving. She was a lifelong learner and stressed the importance of education to her family. As an adult in later life, she studied and became a Bat Mitzvah. This was experienced as a major accomplishment. Her many interests were dancing, aerobic exercising, and baking. She deeply loved music and often sang in choral groups, moving to the beat of the music, joyfully expressing her maternal family name "Singer". She learned how to make foods from her husband’s native country Greece and became an expert “Kloodia”(Koulourakia) special greek cookie baker. No trip to Grandma Betty’s was complete without a trip to the cookie cupboard filled with jars of Kloodia and other home-baked goodies, all made from scratch.. Tennis became a passion and she encouraged her grandchildren to play as well. While wintering in Arizona, she welcomed all family and friends to visit and play tennis with her. Family was her joy and pleasure. People of all ages loved Betty.

Betty is survived by her children Susan Miller and her husband Jerry of Jerusalem, Israel, Ellen Matathia and her husband Stu of Lincoln, MA, Sandy Matathia and his wife Bethann of Reading MA, and Mat Matathia and his wife Kris of Mattapoisett, MA. She was the proud grandmother of 13 grandchildren, Mati, Dari, Tali, Shmaya, Kavi, Ben, Jason, Josh, Sarah, Justin, Shannon, Sam and Alex, and 27 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 10, 2025 at 11AM at Tifereth Israel Congregation, 145 Brownell Ave, New Bedford with burial following at Plainville Cemetery. Immediately after the burial, please join us for a remembrance meal at Tifereth Israel Congregation.

Following the meal, Shiva will be observed.

Shiva will also be observed at the home of Mat and Kris Matathia (10 Ryans Way in Mattapoisett) Tuesday 3/11, 2-4pm and 6-8pm and at Orchard Cove (1 Delpond Drive in Canton) Wednesday 3/12, 2-4pm and 6-8pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Tifereth Israel Congregation, 145 Brownell Ave., New Bedford, MA 02740, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater New Bedford, 166 Jenney Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 or the Orchard Cove Scholarship Fund, 1 Del Pond Drive, Canton, MA 02021.

Those unable to attend services may join via livestream by clicking the links below.