M. Barbara Matthews, 98, of Westborough and a former longtime Framingham resident, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026 (Valentine’s Day) at home. She was the beloved wife of William W. Matthews, who predeceased her in 2008.

Barbara was born on November 28, 1927, in Lowell, MA, where within a few months she entered the foster care system and spent the time between home placements in orphanages. When she was nine years old, Barbara joined what would become her permanent foster home in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. She was educated in the Turners Falls school system. After graduating, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education at North Adams State College, where in a theater production of H.M.S. Pinafore, she met the love of her life, William (Bill). They married in 1953.

Barbara was an elementary school teacher before taking a break to raise a family. She returned to teaching when her youngest entered school, working in the Title I program at the Woodrow Wilson School in Framingham.

Barbara always enjoyed music, playing the snare drum in her high school marching band, and singing in the choir both at school and in church. Later in life, while raising her eight children and helping to raise grandchildren, Barbara and her husband were active at St. Jeremiah Parish in Framingham, where they sang in the choir and in the musical productions. Barbara proudly stood beside William at public events he attended as principal of the Potter Road School in Framingham. At home, Barbara was an avid knitter who also enjoyed reading, jigsaw puzzles, and Sudoku.

Barbara moved to the Willows Retirement Community in Westborough after becoming widowed. She soon jumped into the role of Floor Representative for the Willows Residents Association for a number of years before becoming President of the organization for several more years. In her retirement, she enjoyed cultural trips and travel excursions, musical performances, card games, and BINGO.

Barbara was a devoted mother to her eight children: Margaret Grady (Stafford) of Pacifica, California, William F. Matthews (Deborah) of Rochester, Vermont, Katherine Nichols (Robert) of Mystic, Connecticut, Alice Gentili (Richard) of Upton, Joel Matthews (Patricia) of East Bridgewater, Paul Matthews (Lydia) of Aliso Viejo, California, David Matthews (Jayne) of Somerville, and James Matthews (Jennifer) of Greenwich, Connecticut.

Barbara took special joy in her fifteen grandchildren: Shannon Grady Matthews, Brendan Grady, Clare Grady Weaver, Jess Matthews Cotter, Mark Galante, Dylan Begin, Erica Bradshaw, Adam Matthews, Emily Matthews, Shayla Aguirre, Derek Matthews, Spencer Matthews, Rose Matthews, Hope Matthews, and Grace Matthews.

Barbara’s joy was multiplied in welcoming great-grandchildren: Danielle and William Matthews, Amelia and Mara Grady, Carter, Cole, Caela, Braeden, and Violet Galante, Gianna Ghazarian-Bradshaw, Josslyn Bradshaw, and Gemma Bradshaw, Jackson and Jacob Matthews, and Anistyn Aguirre.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband William W. Matthews, grandson Adam Matthews, and son-in-law Richard Begin.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 P.M. on Friday, March 6, in the Pickering & Son Upton Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, Upton.

A funeral Mass for Barbara will be celebrated at 10 A.M. on Saturday, March 7, in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main Street, Westborough. A private burial will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Upton.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to Rise Above, PO Box 174, Northbridge, MA 01534 https://weriseabove.org/, or other organizations of the donor’s choice.