Annette (Higgs) Matera , of West Park, Town of Esopus died on Sunday, May 21, 2017 in Cape Coral, Florida.

Annette was born in Parsons, West Virginia, on January 21, 1929, daughter of the late Isaac F. and Ruby (Repair) Higgs.

She was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Esopus. She attended Concord College, where she met her husband, Peter. After graduating college, she began a career as an elementary school teacher. Later, as a high school teacher, she taught biology, chemistry and physics. Her teaching career was put on hold while she raised her children and began a second career as a legal secretary, which spanned over 40 years.

Her most important and cherished role was as a wife and mother. Annette guided her family with a soft voice, kind heart and steadfast resolve. She was always there with much needed advice, support and encouragement. Annette’s love for her family and friends was evident in the twinkle in her eye and the warm smile so often seen on her face. The many sacrifices she made throughout her life were done selflessly and joyfully.

Annette had many interests and enjoyed life, whether she was beating the contestants on Jeopardy or making the best chocolate chip cookies. She enjoyed reading a good novel, and prided herself in reciting poems from memory. She worked countless crossword puzzles, and could often be found looking through field books to identify various birds and plants.

She is survived by five sons, Francis P. Matera and his wife Donna of Monroe, NC, Michael P. Matera and his companion Maureen Motler of Cape Coral, FL, John P. Matera and his wife Nora of Grove City, OH, Alessio P. Matera and his wife Eileen of Cape Coral, FL, and Peter F. Matera and his wife Jennifer of West Park, NY, one daughter, Rose A. Gigliello and her husband John of Niskayuna, NY, one brother-in-law Alessio F. Matera and one sister-in-law Marie Matera.

Eleven grandchildren, Francis and his wife Ariel, Susann (William Overton), Charlotte, Peter M. (Courtney Gregus), Peter J. and his wife Arlie, Elizabeth, Annette (Freddy Mera), Peter J. and Christina Matera, and Julianna (Joseph Caldara), and Maria Gigliello, four great-grandchildren, Martin, Joseph, Alessio and Ingrid, and many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

In addition to her husband, Peter F. Matera died on June 1, 2014, she is predeceased by her son, Vincent P. Matera, her brother Richard Higgs and his wife Vonnie, her brother Philip Higgs and his wife Jane, her brother-in-law, Vincent V. Matera and her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Matera.

The Matera family will receive friends at Gilpatric-VanVliet Funeral Home, 339 Broadway, Ulster Park, Town of Esopus, on Friday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

The funeral procession will form 9:00 am Saturday at the funeral home, thence to Sacred Heart Church, 1055 Broadway, Esopus, where The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Fr. Eugene J. Grohe, celebrant, Fr. Kenneth P. Paulli, concelebrant. Burial alongside her husband, Peter, will follow in The Ulster County Veterans Cemetery, 81 Plains Rd., New Paltz.

Expressions of condolence may be made in the form of a contribution to: Sacred Heart Church, PO Box 200, Esopus, NY 12429.

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