Matanes, Rosemary

Rosemary (Dodge) Matanes, 77, passed away on Thursday, November 6, due to complications from Alzheimer’s dementia.

Rosemary, or Rosie as she was called, grew up in Dorchester, and was one of five siblings along with Albert, Thomas, Murial, and Florence Dodge. She graduated from Cathedral High School in 1965. Following her marriage to Mark Matanes in 1972, she moved to South Boston, and finally to Canton in 1975. She was also a graduate of Boston State College, Class of 1969, where she graduated with a degree in secondary education.

Rose began teaching math in the Boston Public Schools in 1970. What followed was a 35-year distinguished career that also included becoming a special education teacher, and finally as a city-wide evaluation team leader, whose job it was to provide valuable education services to Boston’s disadvantaged and handicapped children.

Rosie didn’t stop there, however. She also became the Babe Ruth New England commissioner for girls softball and quickly established herself as a superb organizer. After just three short years, she was elected to the National Babe Ruth Hall of Fame for her outstanding contributions.

Rosemary’s most significant accomplishment, however, and the light of her life were her children, Mark and Sara, and her six grandchildren, Finn Oisin, Sabhbh and Aidan Matanes (of Ireland) and Addison, Grace and Caleb Chafkin of Norfolk. Spending time with all the kids in Disney World each year was her greatest enjoyment.

Rosie was a compassionate and loving individual who attended Victory Church in Sharon. It was at Victory that she found true joy and happiness serving as a church secretary, treasurer, a prayer warrior, and a volunteer who would help everyone and anyone, at any time of need. She was truly a rare and unique individual whose love of family, friends, and her Savior provided her with an amazing lifelong legacy. She leaves behind her husband, Mark, of 53 years who views her life as nothing short of a gift from God. She will surely be missed by all who knew her.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend visiting hours at the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street, on Friday, November 14, from 4-8 p.m. A church service will be held in her honor at the Victory Church at 67 High Plain Street in Sharon on Saturday, November 15, at 10:30 a.m. Burial at Knollwood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Rosie’s honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 320 Nevada St., Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460 or at alz.org/manh.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Nov 12 2025. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.