Obituaries
Judith Ann Matulis, 61
Judith Ann Matulis (nee Newton), 61, formerly of Lititz, died Tuesday June 15, 2010 in Greensboro, North Carolina after a long battle with Chordoma and ALS.
Judie was the owner of two of Lititz’s most popular retail shops. In 1980, she opened The Handworks, a shop that specialized in folk art and specialty crafts, was a trend-setting pioneer in promoting folk art and country design locally. As it grew from its original location in Zum Anker Alley to take over the building at 22 E. Main Street, she opened a second store, Judie, which became a destination boutique for customers seeking fine women’s fashions and one-of-a-kind home décor and gifts. In 1994, both shops merged into the location at 30 E. Main St, which closed on March 31 of this year because of Matulis’s declining health.
Fixtures of the Lititz retail community, both shops developed a following of dedicated customers and friends from around the country. Both shops – along with the Heart of the Country Craft Show that Matulis began 1983 – did their part to put Lititz on the map as a folk art and crafts hub and specialty shopping destination. Judie’s and The Handworks brought together more than 40 women whose lives, work, and talents crossed paths as they contributed to the success and reputation of the shops during their 30-year run on Main Street.
Judie was a member of Crossroads Wesleyan Church in Lancaster with Pastor Dwight Addington, the congregation, and other friends were a great source of strength and spiritual comfort for her as she first fought cancer, and then ALS. She loved shopping, decorating, enjoying time with family and friends over good meals and good laughs, and, as she put it, “making women fabulous” with the vibrant and bold fashions she carried.
Matulis was born August 26, 1948 in Jacksonville, Florida the daughter of the late Elton and Marjorie Newton. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville in 1966 and attended Madison Community College in North Florida.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Dr. Robert Matulis, a retired Professor of Math at Millersville University; by two daughters: Julie Matulis Fitzpatrick of Greensboro, NC and Amy Matulis Reed of Wilson, NC; two sons-in-law, Brendan Fitzpatrick and Michael Reed; two grandsons, Conor and Cameron Fitzpatrick; granddaughter Lily Reed; sister Nancy Harvey, wife of Bob Harvey of Jamestown, NC; and brother Danny Newton of Jacksonville, FL. sister-in-law Janice Matulis of Milwaukee, WI.
A Memorial Service in Celebration of her life will be held at the Lititz United Methodist Church 201 Market St. Lititz, PA 17543 with the Rev. Dwight L. Addington officiating on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 10am. Friends may pay their respects to the family at the church from 9-10am.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions in Judie’s memory to the ALS Association 27001 Agoura Rd. Suite 250 Calabasas Hills, CA 91301, plant another flower in your garden, and love your mother with all your heart. We’ll miss you.
Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Chapel is assisting with local arrangements. To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Julie and Amy,
As a fifth grade teacher at John Beck, I remember you. When I saw your mother’s obituary in the Sunday News today, I recalled pleasant memories of her as an active parent at John Beck School. With her involvements in various PTA activities, she was often at the school. Her enthusiasm and cheerfulness were contagious. You had a wonderful mother!
I was sorry to read of her double health challenges and I am sending you my condolences. It is comforting to know she is released from the limitations and pain forced on her by these illnesses.
My sympathy to both of you, your dad, husbands and children.
You will certainly miss her! May many pleasant memories of happy times with her bring healing and peace. I’m praying you will each feel God’s loving arms holding you close to Himself and each other at this sad time.
Mary (Wenger) Becker
Dear Bob,
I just received a phone call from a friend in Lancaster who called me here in Massachusetts (where I moved to in 2008) to tell me about Judie’s passing. I am so very sorry to hear the sad news and just wanted to extend my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Judie left a wonderful legacy of love and warmth and she was one of the first faculty wives that I had the pleasure of meeting when my late husband Russ and I came to MU. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
With deepest sympathy,
Sandy DeSouza
Dear Matulis Family,
Other than an occasional "Hi" to Bob, we have never met, but I want to share a memory I have of Judi. We moved into 561 Randloph in 2003. One of the first passers-by was Judi. She stopped as we were out in the yard gardening. There was an immediate feeling of connection for me, a Jersey Girl,and her. Loved her style and pizzaz. Never thought I’d see a style-mate in good old Lancaster County! But beneath that gorgeous outward appearance was a generous soul. When she realized we were avid gardeners, she invited us to her home and welcomed us to take anything we could use out of her garden, as the amount of time and energy she had for gardening was winding down. We did gather many rocks from her garden and they are now part of a waterfall and fish pond that we created in the backyard. We also have an old rusted cultivator that she gave us. So we have these lovely mementos in our garden to remind us of a kind neighbor. My condolences to you all on the loss of a lovely creature.
Rita and Ed Curven
Dear Bob, Julie, Amy, and family,
Judie will remain in my memory and my heart as a force larger than life. Always so much fun to be around. Her laughter and mischief along with her wonderfully creative mind is an echo that will continue to resonate in those who knew her well, knew her in passing and knew her in her prime. She remained to me an icon of what a successful woman was all about, not just in the business world, but with friends and especially her family.
We were all fortunate to have known Judie.
Love,
Nancy Williams
To all the Matulis’
Please accept my deepest sympathy. When Joe and I did the Lititz Craft Show we always had the best time. She will always have a special place in my heart!
Love
Lin Kilby
Dear Bob, Julie & Brendan, Amy and family,
I was so sorry to learn of Judie’s passing. I know how much she meant to all of you. Please know I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I can only imagine how much she will be missed by all who knew her and loved her.
In Deepest Sympathy,
Sonja Denlinger Haught
Dear Bob, Julie and Amy,
I am so sorry to hear about Judie. She was just the BEST Mother of the Bride I ever worked with. I have such great memories of her and of the entire family. Remember the fun times.
Sincerely,
Ellen Wascou (Stardust Entertainment)
Dear Bob, Julie and Amy,
We were sorry to hear about Judie. Unfortunately, we will not be able to attend Judie’s memorial services on Saturday. We will be out of town.
She had so many accomplishments-What a ride! I’ll be planting a Hydrangea Bush in Judie’s memory.
Again, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Nan and Brad Reynolds
Bob and Family:
We want to extend our sincere sympathy to you and your family. We remember
Judie as a very vibrant person.
Jim and Bonnie Jolly
