Catherine Theresa Matthews, 91, of Westerly, RI passed away peacefully at home on December 29, 2018.

Shortly after her birth in Westfield, NJ, her parents returned to the Crowley Farm in Wequetequock, CT where "Tess" was raised, the third of 13 children.

Upon graduation from Stonington High School, she worked for 10 years at Hornblowers & Weeks, a local stock brokerage.

In 1956, she married Merton Matthews and through the years raised six children in Westerly. An active volunteer at Immaculate Conception School and then St. Pius X Schools, Tess was also the 4H Club leader of the Westerly Willing Workers for 20 years introducing youth to dress making, canning and public speaking. For 25 years she served as a Director on the Board of Maxson Automatic Machinery Company in Westerly. Catherine was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Church.
Known for her blue eyes, cackling laughter, engaging insights and thoughtful kindness,

Tess is sadly missed by her husband of 62 years, Merton Matthews; her children, Colleen (and Jim) Torbett of Exeter, Joseph (and Linda) Matthews of South Kingstown, Ellen (and Ernest) Bissaillon of Merrimac, MA, Dennis (and Cheryl) Matthews of Scottsdale, AZ, Owen (and Melissa) Matthews of Beaverdam, VA and Louis Matthews of North Kingstown; 19 grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

She is survived by her siblings, Madeline Banker, Constance Kmetz, Charlotte Kennedy, Charles Michael (and Georgia) Crowley and Patricia Crowley, as well as her sister-in-law Julia (and Richard) Buckley. Her 47 nephews and nieces will also miss Aunt Tessie's presence.

Tess was predeceased by her parents, James and Catherine Crowley; brothers, Thomas, Raymond, James and William; and sisters, Margaret (Crofts), Lucy and Elizabeth (Holly).

The Matthews family greeted relatives and friends on Wednesday January 2, 2019 at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, Westerly. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Church, Westerly. Interment followed at St. Sebastian Cemetery, Westerly.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the St. Michael Capital Campaign, 60 Liberty St., Pawcatuck, CT

For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.

Published in The Westerly Sun on Jan. 1, 2019