Obituary of Fernande Y. Matthews

Georgia – Fernande “Fern” Y. Matthews, 72, died peacefully on Monday September 26, 2016 at her home in Georgia surrounded by her loving husband and family. Fern was born in St. Albans on January 10, 1944 the daughter of Gerard and Alice (Bombardier) Perras. She graduated from Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans in 1964. Fern married Blease “Bill” Matthews on September 11, 1965. Fern worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut until the birth of their first child. She then dedicated the rest of her life to her children and husband as well as many nieces and nephews as they were growing up. In addition to Bill, Fern is survived by her children Christine McDonald and her husband Brian, Brian Matthews and his wife Jodi, Holly Thompson and her husband Robert and by 13 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. She is also survived by her brothers Ron Perras and his wife Debbie, Eugene Perras and his wife Spring, Michael Perras and his wife Lisa and several nieces and nephews. Fern was predeceased by her father Gerard Perras, her sister Danielle (Perras)Jackson, her Mother Alice (Bombardier) Perras, and her sister Diane (Perras) Pomeroy. Fern and Bill traveled throughout the United States and Canada for their businesses as well as many trips for the Shriners of North America and even those “let’s get away for a while” trips. Fern and her husband moved home to Vermont in 1978, build a home together and taught their children how to live off the land and become self-sufficient. Her gentle and compassionate soul touched the lives of countless people and families. Visiting hours will be held on Friday October 7, 2016 from 5-8 pm in the Minor Funeral and Cremation Center in Milton. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday October 8, 2016 at 1pm in the Ascension Catholic Church in Georgia.