Mary Theresa Matz

March 8, 1920 - October 25, 2012

Mary Theresa Matz, 92, formerly of Benton Harbor, passed away Thursday, October 25, 2012, at the Spectrum Health Rehab Nursing Home in Grand Rapids, MI. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M., Monday, October 29, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 600 Columbus, in Benton Harbor, with Fr. Bill Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. A Wake service will be held Sunday afternoon from 3:00 until 5:00, Sunday, at the Dey-Florin Chapel of Florin Funeral Service, 2506 Niles Ave., St. Joseph. Prayers will be recited at 5:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Research. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.florin.net. Mary was born March 8, 1920, in Dickinson, North Dakota, to Martin and Katherine Blasy. She married Anton Matz and together they had four children. Mary lived in the Benton Harbor area from 1951 until 1988 until she moved up to Lowell/Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was a long-time member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Benton Harbor and later St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grand Rapids. She was a professional seamstress and particularly enjoyed knitting. Most of all, Mary cherished time spent with her family and always enjoyed being present for her grandchildren’s special events. Mary is survived her children, Theodore (Karen) Matz of Florida, Sheila Ashbrook of Grand Rapids, and Anthony (Lori) Matz of West Lafayette, Indiana; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband Anton in 1968 and by her son, Gene Matz; and by one great-granddaughter.