Dorothy Ann Wludyka Matthews

Dorothy Ann Wludyka Matthews, 87
Pioneering doctor practiced medicine until age 80
Dorothy Ann Wludyka Matthews of Tottenville passed away peacefully on January 15, 2021 at 87 years young at home with her loving family.
Dorothy was born in Irvington, N.J. on April 12, 1933. Dorothy graduated from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia Pennsylvania in 1954 with a B.S. in chemistry and a minor in music. Dorothy continued her education at the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania and graduated with a degree in Medicine. As Dorothy began her career, Hunterton Medical Center in Flemington New Jersey requested Dorothy to be one of the first female physicians in that medical institution.
Dorothy and her husband, Edward J. Matthews Sr. MD, a surgeon on the front lines during World War II, and her son Edward J. Matthews Jr. MD who holds a degree in internal medicine opened a family practice that extended to all aspects of medicine.
Dorothy was better known as "Dr. Dorothy" to her patients. As time progressed and her husband, whom she had been married to for 28 wonderful years had passed, the practice then became mother and son.
Over the next two decades Dorothy and her son practiced medicine until the day she decided to retire at age 80. Dorothy had said to her son Edward, "I think it is time to retire" and her son replied at age 65, "I agree." Mom went to the living room and Edward went to Florida.
Dorothy and Regina, a family relative, continued to live at the residence which had also housed the practice and together, continued to live their lives to the fullest. Dorothy was seldom home, dutifully attending medical meetings, choir practice, church activities, fund raising, seminars and the like.
When the father of her children passed, she now had the time to give back to the community by volunteering time and teaching music to the children of Our Lady Help of Christians School, where all five of her children also graduated. Her dedication lead to her students graduating with the knowledge and wisdom that she had imparted to them over the years. Dorothy then went back to her first love of music and devotion to the arts.
Dr. Dorothy is known throughout Staten Island for the many titles she has held over the decades. One of the first women physicians to open a practice in New Jersey, she had delivered over 400 babies, the title of obstetrician was not in the vernacular of medicine at that time.
Dorothy, according to her children, was an actual living Saint the way she treated others and forgave her children's antics. She attended church daily and thankfully prayed for everyone.
Also known as "The Sentinel" Dorothy over the past several decades would keep watch over her children as the Matriarch of the family protecting everyone's interests.
Dorothy was a member of Richmond Choral Society, Our Lady Help of Christians church choir, a member of Richmond Medical Society and Kosciuszko Foundation. Dorothy was active in the church and Music Associations of New York and New Jersey. Dorothy is survived by her children, Edward J. Matthews Jr. MD, Joyce Boose, Jeffrey and Philip Matthews. Dorothy's youngest son James Victor Matthews predeceased her in 2001.
Dorothy was grandmother to Jeffrey, Joseph, Darla, Jillian, and Katharine Matthews, and Lauren Boose. Dorothy was great-grandmother to Ella Dubin. Dorothy also is survived by her nephews and nieces Jackie Branowski, Steve and Sandra Troscianecki, Gayle and Martin Picinich, Judy and Richard Thacther. Thaddeus and Eugenia Jacoviak, Judy and Robert Newman (deceased) and Dr. John and Edwina Kirkowski were lifelong devoted friends.
The funeral services will be held at Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home. Father James Ferreira of Our Lady Help of Christians parish will be officiating the mass on Friday, January 22nd at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Staten Island, N.Y.
Visitations will be held at Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home in Tottenville, Staten Island, N.Y. on January 21st from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to The Richmond Choral Society and/ or Our Lady Help of Christians Church.