Barbara Matthius

Born and raised in Staten Island, (her family ties to the Island date back to the 1600’s). She was an alumnus of Public School 30 where she was skipped in the third grade, Public School 45, Port Richmond High School, and Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School. She was especially proud of being a “Katie Gibbs girl” and utilized her skills and training throughout her life, often frustrating her children when she wrote their Christmas lists in shorthand. She attended Hunter College briefly before embarking on her career with MilkMaid, a cosmetics company headquartered in Manhattan until her marriage. She reentered the workforce when her youngest started kindergarten and her eldest started college as a secretary in Admissions at Wagner College and at time of retirement was Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Academic Affairs. She retired after 20 years of service.

A fervent gardener, she was an active member of the Staten Island Garden Club serving as Vice President, and, her dedication was commemorated with the inscription of her name in The Federated Garden Clubs of New York State’s Book of Recognition. She was a member of the Westerleigh Round Table, Westerleigh Improvement Society, and participated in a weekly bowling league. Passionate about education, reading and history, she was particularly enamored by John and Abigail Adams and Colonial America. She was especially empathetic and concerned with the welfare of America’s indigenous people. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States (including Alaska), as well as travelling the globe visiting Canada, the Caribbean and many foreign countries. She was acutely interested in world politics and could informatively discuss local politics in any state or country she visited. As many women of her generation, she was a die-hard New York Yankees fan.

Throughout her life, she remained a devout, dedicated, and untiring member of Immanuel Union Church. In her youth, she was a member of the women’s basketball team, and as an adult, a member of The Third Ring, Women’s Association, and Adult Fellowship, and served as Chairperson and member of both the Church Board and the Board of Trustees. She was recognized in 2002 by the Staten Island Council of Churches. She was secretary and active in Immanuel’s Boy Scout Troop 2, the oldest troop in the United States. In addition, she served as Chairperson of Immanuel’s annual Church Fair, where she was known for her homemade cakes, fudge, pickles and jams. She was innovative in creating a dinner theater fundraising series, spearheaded back pack and Christmas gift drives for underprivileged Appalachian families, and introduced the tradition of the Christ Candle into Easter and Christmas services inspired by a trip to Vienna, Austria. While she found solace in her church, it was her faith that was her fortress. She was a member of Immanuel for over 70 years and its longest living member.

But perhaps her infinite joy and proudest accomplishment in life were her six children–Douglas, who predeceased her in 2016, Barbara-Ann, known as Bunny, Robert (Linda), Jo-Ellen Brannigan (Bernard), Katharine, and Gregg (Christine), seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Her devotion was unwavering.

She leaves behind a legacy of commitment, patriotism, and dedication to cause, and first and foremost, love of family.

Visitors will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on at Casey Funeral Home on Sunday, February 16, 2025, with funeral service on Monday, February 17, 2025 at 10:30 AM in Trinity Lutheran Church, 309 St Paul’s Ave, New York, NY 10304.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Partnership with Native Americans at www.nativepartnership.org.