Mattie Ruth Shinkovich drew her first breath in Morgantown on Aug. 6, 1942, encircled by the love of her excited family. On Dec. 31, 2022, she shared her last breath as her loved ones surrounded her one final time.
Mattie, 80, of Westover, lived her life out loud. She married her high school sweetheart, Archie, with whom she shared all for 46 years.
Preceding Mattie was her husband, Archie, in 2006; infant daughter, Angela; parents, Lillian Hunt and Eugene Hunt; and brother, Rick Hunt.
Surviving are her pride and joy, her five sons, Tim (Yvonne), of Morgantown, Donnie (Donna), of Greensboro, Pa., Greg, of Norwich, Conn., Gary, of Westover, and Brian, of Granville. Also surviving are her 15 perfect grandchildren and 16 even more amazing great-grandchildren. Remaining are her siblings, Jeanie Morgan (Larry Sr.), of Westover, Allen Hunt, of Granville, Becky England (John), of Westover, and Jeff Hunt, of Westover.
Mattie was a colorful character and life was not boring when she was around. She worked at Suburban Lanes in the 1960s into the 1970s. She was once employed at a submarine ship yard (General Dynamic Electric Boat Division) in Groton, Conn., where she worked side-by-side with her husband and two of her sons.
Never one to back down, she was known by many for her rough and rowdy demeanor and the fact that “Hot Wheels racetracks were not just for cars.”
Little sister, Becky, reminisces of a time bygone when Jeanie and Mattie were spatting as teenagers often do. Big sis Mattie had chased Jeanie under a bed, poking at her with a broken broomstick. That was until the strains of “American Bandstand” filled the air, then all disputes disappeared, and dancing took the place of fighting.
Mattie will not be remembered as a woman who kept her mouth shut. However, she loved fiercely and deeply. These traits lead to her being stranded in Connecticut due to COVID travel restrictions for two years when she left her home to support a son who lost his wife to illness. As much as she loved her children, she bragged of her grandchildren and greats even more.
This world will be both more quiet and less colorful without Mattie. Following her wishes of cremation, the family will have a celebration of life on May 14, 2023, (Mother’s Day) at a place that is yet to be decided.
“To my sons. Never forget that I love you. Life is filled with hard times and good times. Learn from everything you can. Be the man I know you can be.”
Love, Mom
Condolences:
www.fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com
