Mary Ellen Matts

Mary Ellen Matts (nee Vitz) was born in Los Angeles, California on January 22, 1930 and died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on December 18, 2025 at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, Joseph Matts, who passed away in 2017. She is survived by their five devoted children, Constance Matts (Donald Stuart), Victoria Beach, Joan Olszko (Paul), Mary Jane Matts (Ralph Slifcak, deceased) and Joseph Matts (Eleni Pelecanos-Matts).

She is also survived by her beloved twenty-one grandchildren: Chase Stuart (Lisa), Paige Stuart, Hale Stuart (Rachel), David Stuart (Saundra), Zoe Dahm (Jimmy), Hadley Stuart (Nick Gwiazdowski), and Larke Stuart, who sadly passed away nine days before her grandmother;  Matthew Beach, Trevor Beach (Cristina), Nathan Olszko (Meghan), Kiira Olszko, Garth Olszko (Michele Zychowski), Shelby Olszko (John Reiter), Ardyn Olszko (Timothy Powell), Russell Slifcak, Wyatt Slifcak (Alyssa, fiancée), Quinn Slifcak, Eliot Slifcak, Joseph A. Matts, Sophia Matts and Victor Matts.

Additionally, Mary Ellen is survived by fourteen great grandchildren, Hale's Zara, Eitan and Solomon, David's Penelope, Larke's Hollyn and Rowan, Hadley's Madix and Jade, Trevor's Max, Reid and Luca, Nathan's William, and Shelby's Maeven and John Henry.

Mary Ellen was predeceased by her mother, Norma Vitz, and her late older brothers, Carl and Norman. She was raised mostly in Cleveland by her mother and grandmother. Mary Ellen cared for her mother for over thirty years, while raising her five rambunctious children and meeting all the needs of her extremely busy and demanding family and spouse.

Her unwavering focus was on the betterment of her family, and their achievements and successes are a direct result of her efforts and example. Always the smartest person in the room, she nevertheless remained humble and encouraging and reveled quietly in each person's successes and accomplishments of which there are too many to mention. In addition to academic and professional success, she encouraged artistic and athletic pursuits, and transported personnel to and attended more such events than could ever be counted to support her ever-growing pile of descendants. She remained levelheaded and well-spoken on all occasions and spent all her efforts and energy making sure the needs of others were well met at all times. She was our chief counselor and confidant for all issues, including legal, medical, and personal. She also functioned as the communications center of the family and maintained tabs on the whereabouts of dozens of people so that information could be obtained and disseminated merely by calling her number, which she always helpfully answered.

Mary Ellen and Joseph made their home the center of our universe for decades of family parties and were both wonderful and generous hosts. No matter what was happening, they made sure every holiday was a special event and a place for the family to gather and be together. In addition to covering holidays and birthdays, they sponsored numerous special events for multiple family members, and their extreme generosity is memorable.

Mary Ellen, despite a challenging childhood, developed an elegant and sophisticated sense of style that she brought to her homes and landscapes. She had an eye for beauty that she was able to impart in her decorating decisions and lush plantings. A voracious reader, her interests were complex and widespread, and she enjoyed a lively conversation concerning literary works or any other topic of discussion or debate. As the backbone of our family, she was steadfast and strong, and her approval of our choices and decisions was the opinion most sought and most important. She also set the ultimate example of empathy towards others, integrity, and unending hard work, establishing an aspirational goal for all her offspring.

In lieu of flowers:  Memorial contributions may be made to:  Brecksville United Methodist Church, 65 Public Square, Brecksville, Ohio 44141, memo to the Joseph and Mary Ellen Matts Living Memorial Fund.

A private burial service has been held by the family.

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