Theresa “Tess” Matuch Gorecki died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, December 16th. She was 99 years old. Tess was born in Jersey City on July 20, 1915 to Tillie and Anthony Majewski. In 1932 she married Frank Matuch and in 1946 moved to Spring Lake where they raised their two daughters, Marian and Diane.

Tess was an active parishioner and communicant of St. Catharine Church for over 65 years as well as a long standing member of the Catholic Daughters and the Third Order of Mt. Carmel. She also volunteered for many Church activities including the school PTA, the Candlelight Ball, Jr. Catholic Daughters, and Brownie and Girl Scout troops.

Tess was known and loved by many in Spring Lake. She was also an award winning Realtor for many years. In 1964 she and her daughter opened the Marian D. Johnson real estate agency in Spring Lake where Tess continued to be one of the most successful real estate agents in the area. Today she is still remembered fondly for her honesty, integrity and wonderful personality.

After retiring, she and her husband Frank spent many winters in Florida where they enjoyed the warm weather and their annual cruises. They were active parishioners of St. Henry's Catholic Church in Pompano Beach, Florida where she was a Eucharistic Minister and altar server. She also brought Communion to those in the hospital.

Theresa was predeceased by her husband Frank of 55 years in 1987 and her second husband Ziggy Gorecki in 1991. She is survived by her two daughters, Marian Johnson (Peter) and Diane Cambron (Richard). She is also survived by five grandchildren, Gilbert Johnson (Heather), Joyce Reynolds (Robert), Christopher Johnson (Jeanne), Jeffrey Cambron (Lindsay) and Christopher Cambron; eight great grandchildren, Debra Kennedy (Todd), Robert Reynolds (Josie), Michael Reynolds, Jackie Johnson, Timothy Johnson, Kaylen Johnson, Matthew Johnson and Parker Theresa Cambron; and four great, great grandchildren, Thomas Kennedy, Jake Kennedy, Hayes Kennedy and Parker Reynolds; and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Friday, December 19th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy. 35 at New Bedford Road, Wall Township. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 20th at 10:30 AM in St. Catharine Roman Catholic Church in Spring Lake. Burial will follow at St. Catharine Cemetery in Sea Girt, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Theresa’s name to the St. Catharine School Endowment Fund or the St. Anne Scholarship Fund c/o St. Catharine Church, 215 Essex Ave., Spring Lake, NJ 07762.

Affiliations

Catholic Daughters of America
Crucifix
Third Order of Camelites