Shortly after celebrating her 104th birthday, Ruth Matena passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026. She was a firecracker of a woman, who taught her son, grandsons and great-grandsons to be respectful and proud and her daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters to be strong and fierce in their own right.
She was born in Union City, New Jersey on May 11, 1922 to John and Teresa Steck, where she lived until she married Philip Matena in 1945. They moved to Chicago while he served in the Navy, and upon their return to New Jersey, they resided in Middletown until Philip’s passing in 2011. The Middletown house served as the central heart where Ruth and Philip birthed and raised their four children: Ruth, Janet, Philip and Barbara.
As years passed the family grew to include 11 grandchildren whom Ruth (Gammy to them) would spoil with mad money from her knitting bag for ice cream runs, homemade brownies, countless back scratches and endless fun.
Ruth later had 16 great-grandchildren who knew how comfy a snuggle with her was, how they could count on her for silly fun, and that they would always have a partner in crime for sneaking a piece of candy.
Upon her passing she has left a hole that is so large the only thing that can fill it is the profound love and devotion she instilled in her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Teresa Steck; her beloved husband, Philip Matena; her son-in-law, Benjamin Hough; and her granddaughter, Stephanie Carolyn Torok.
She is survived by her children: Ruth Hough (née Matena), Janet Benedict (née Matena) and her husband, Charles Benedict III, Philip Matena and his wife, Virginia Matena, and Barbara Torok (née Matena) and her husband, Bruce Torok. She is also survived by her 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren who cherished her beyond words.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 4 to 6 pm at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ. A family eulogy will be offered on Saturday, May 16th at 10 am at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown, NJ.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Deborah Hospital or Embracing Hospice.
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