November 1, 1930 – December 29, 2023

Ethel Dorothea Holtje Matasker, 93, of Pompton Plains, New Jersey, devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 29, 2023.

Ethel was born to the late William Holtje and Regina Maas Holtje in Weehawken, New Jersey. A graduate of Memorial High School in West New York, NJ, Ethel married John Gustav Matasker in 1951. When John returned from service in the Korean War, Ethel and John bought a home in Paramus, NJ, and together, they raised four children.

Ethel worked in the Woodcliff Lake School System for 25 years, first as a secretary in Dorchester School and then as the secretary to the Superintendent of Schools. In 1986, Ethel and John bought a vacation home in Jupiter, Florida, where several of their friends planned to retire. Sadly, Ethel was widowed in 1989. Upon her retirement, Ethel spent winters in Jupiter, along with a group of dear friends from New Jersey who also were snowbirds.

A devout Christian, Ethel was an active member of Paramus Bible Church. Ethel traveled the world with her dear friends, visiting Canada, France, Italy, Morocco, Spain, and the United Kingdom, as well as much of the United States. A gifted seamstress, Ethel was renowned among her family and friends for the beautiful clothing, quilts and crafts she created for others to mark joyous occasions such as weddings, births, and new homes.

Ethel was loved for her buoyant spirit, her sense of humor, and her devotion to God, family and friends. She enjoyed reading, singing and playing guitar. She always said, “If the song fits, sing it!” Ethel also played golf, tennis and bridge, all skills she learned later in life.

Ethel is survived by her daughters Jill (Michael) Vitiello and Carol (Andy) Feinberg and her sons Charles (Cathy) Matasker and William (Debra) Matasker; her grandchildren Melissa (Joseph) Silva, Jessica (Anderson) Taveras, John Feinberg, Dr. Vanessa (Richard) Williams, Daniel (Jessica) Feinberg, Lauren Matasker, Rebecca (Matthew) Dare, Michael Matasker, Alexandra Matasker, Jack Matasker, and Diana Matasker; her great-grandchildren Savannah and Joseph Silva, Dylan Taveras, and Summer Feinberg; and nephews Howard (Marie) Holtje and Thomas Holtje. She is predeceased by her husband, John Matasker; her niece, Holly Holtje Mann; her brother, Howard Holtje, and her mother, Regina Maas Holtje, and her father William Reginald Holtje.

Ethel was respected, admired, and often sought out for her godly wisdom. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed.