Mattie Ruth Shinkovich

Mattie Ruth Shinkovich drew her first breath in Morgantown on August 6, 1942, encircled by the love of her excited family. On December 31, 2022, she shared her last breath as her loved ones surrounded her one final time.

Mattie, 80 years of age 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 joys, her five sons. Tim (Yvonne) of Morgantown, Donnie (Donna) of Greensboro, PA, Greg, of Norwich, CT, Gary, of Westover and Brian, of Granville. Also 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, CT 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 to 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