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Jeanette Ann (Waltman) Matchette, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully in Raphine on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. She was surrounded by family in her final days and hours.
Jeanette was born in Holmes County, Ohio, on May 12, 1935, to Wayland R. and Opal F. (Purdy) Waltman.
She grew up in Millersburg, Ohio, and graduated from Millersburg High School. She later graduated from Northwestern University and then moved to Arizona in the late 1950s, where she took special education classes and earned a master’s degree at Arizona State University. Jeanette became an active member of Scottsdale United Methodist Church and participated in many church activities, where she met her husband of 56 years, Dr. John Earl Matchette, DVM.
Jeanette loved animals and worked with her husband at Animal Care Hospital, which he established in Phoenix. She became very active with the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association Auxiliary, holding various offices and representing the group at state and national meetings. In the 1980s, Jeanette helped to organize the Companion Animal Association of Arizona, which supports pet ownership by elderly and disabled residents in rental properties and organizes pet therapy teams to visit patients in hospitals and nursing homes.
In 2010, Jeanette and John moved to Augusta County, where they built their retirement home and joined the Fishersville United Methodist Church. They also joined the Rockbridge Historical Society and became Rockbridge Area Master Gardeners, working with other members on local community projects.
Jeanette’s biggest joy was encouraging large family gatherings filled with homecooked meals, lively conversations, and laughter. She also enjoyed taking her beloved dog, Heidi, on long daily walks through the forest, where she felt a deep connection with God.
Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Gene “Pete” Waltman.
She is survived by her devoted husband, John; son, Mark and daughter-in-law, Jamie; son, John and daughter- in-law, Wendy; daughter, Ann and son-in-law, Jonathan; granddaughters, Ava and Claudia and Alexis, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private ceremony with immediate family will take place in the spring at her beloved home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Pet Partners, by mail at 345 118th Ave. SE, Ste 100, Bellevue, WA 98005-3587 or online at www.petpartners. org or to Fishersville United Methodist Church, by mail at P.O. Box 1049,Fishersville, VA 22939 or online by visiting www.fishersvilleumc.org/ giving.
The family extends its deep appreciation to supportive friends, church members, wonderful neighbors, and the caring staff at Blue Ridge Christian Homes.
Memories and sympathies can be shared with the family at www.charltonandgroomefuneralhome. com. N-G
