Paige Matson

LANCASTER, NH - Paige Matson (74) passed away in Boston MA on March 21st, 2022, following complications from a stroke. Paige was surrounded by her loving family at the hour of her passing. Paige was born and raised on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts where she always loved to visit. Paige went to High School in Hinckley Maine and loved telling stories about all the snow there. Paige worked at her father's restaurant "Allen's Diner and Grille" in her teenage years and this is where she met the love of her life Vernon Matson while he was on the Island working. Paige and Vern were Married on May 10th, 1969, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nantucket. They began their married life together living in Providence RI and then moving to Lincoln RI two years later. Wasting no time, they had their first child Kim in April 1970, and had 5 more children- Vernon, Sharon, Eric, Michael, and Brian by 1979. Paige loved to take her children to the MacColl Field YMCA to go swimming and she also coached co-ed T-ball through the Church. As though having 6 children wasn't enough, Paige and Vern sponsored a Vietnamese family through Christian services to assist them in gaining citizenship into the United States. With her vast experience bearing many children of her own, Paige assisted in delivering the couple's daughter whom they named "Paige" in her honor.

In 1986 Paige and Vern purchased the Skywood Manor in Jefferson NH where they lived for 28 years. Paige ran the hotel and restaurant as best she could while also raising 6 children that challenged her daily. Paige owned and operated Paige and Kims Bakery which she considered her most successful business venture. Paige and Vern moved to Lancaster NH in 2015. Paige loved to cook for others making the Matson home welcome to friends, family, hotel guests and oftentimes people she'd never met before to gather on holidays. Planning for holiday events often took her weeks in preparation for the many pies, cakes and other desserts often numbering 15 or more on Thanksgiving alone. Paige's cooking was almost never done using any measuring devices as almost all her recipes were created by memory. Possibly her finest recognition in cooking was when Antonia Lenza, an amazing Italian cook and family member asked Paige for her lasagna recipe; and when the Granite Grind began using her Pumpkin muffin recipe as their own. When not working the Restaurant or hotel, Paige took on jobs as a cook and home health care provider; this came naturally to Paige as taking care of others before herself was always her nature. Paige enjoyed assisting with many fundraisers for Cystic fibrosis, the fire fighter stair climb for leukemia foundation and other local causes.

Arthritis be damned if there was a wedding or birthday to celebrate; Paige loved to dance and would do so all night at these events. Paige loved playing cards and other games of chance and was the first person in the car if ever someone asked if she'd like to go play Bingo. Playing games with her friends and family brought her so much joy. Paige had a beautiful and infectious smile, and she smiled often.

Paige loved having company always. When her adult children stayed overnight, they would often be awoken with her sitting at the foot of their bed, sighing repeatedly a little louder each time until you awoke. She would then say "oh, are you awake"? And then make you coffee and breakfast.

Paige is fondly remembered as being loving, bubbly and fun. Her life was dedicated to her husband Vern and her family, always putting their needs and wants second to hers. To know Paige was to know her family because her family defined who she was, and they were her greatest treasure in life. There was no shortage of forgiveness, or end to her love for them.
Through God's grace, Paige's final days were spent on Nantucket Island with her husband Vern, all her children and their spouses, and grandchildren. The weekend was filled with celebration and love.
Paige is survived by her Husband Vernon, children Kim Crane and husband Robert, Vernon Matson and wife Carol, Sharon Kopp and husband Michael, Eric Matson and wife Daiena, Michael Matson and wife Jessica, Brian Matson and wife Nicole, Grandchildren Nichole Whitney, Amelia Matson, Connor Matson, Julia Matson, Evan Matson, Ryan Matson, Jack Matson, Braylee Matson, Step-grandchildren, Alex Kopp, Laura Kopp, Annie Kopp, Ayden Ball, Tayah Ball, Sister Sydney Arlington, Brother David Allen, countless other extended family members and friends and of course her beloved Springer Spaniel Murphy.

Paige is predeceased by her brother Clifford "Clipper" Allen and grandson Finn James Matson.

A wake will be held at the Bailey Funeral home, 210 Main Street in Lancaster NH on Friday March 25th, 2022, from 6-8pm. A funeral Mass will be held at All Saints Catholic Church, 163 Main Street, Lancaster NH on Saturday March 26th, 2022, at 10am. After the Mass, Burial will be located at the Cavalry Cemetery, 378 Main Street in Lancaster. Following the burial, A reception will be held at the Inn at Whitefield, 381 Lancaster Road, Whitefield NH from noon to 3 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Paige's memory to the Lancaster Area Food Pantry, 135 Main Street, Lancaster NH 03584 C/O Donna Woods.

In Paige's honor, please pray for the weak, the lonely, the hopeless, the sick, and for peace in our world.