Yoshiko (“Yoshi”) Matthews, 94, of Newport, RI and formerly of Holbrook, NY, passed away on September 12, 2024, after a long battle with dementia. She was born on October 18, 1929 in Yokohama, Japan, the oldest of four children to Yoshinao and Taki (Onozawa) Suzuki.
Yoshi immigrated to Long Island in 1951, shortly after marrying an American soldier in Japan. She became a naturalized US citizen, raised two children, and was a self-employed beautician for many years. In her free time, she was an avid golfer and enjoyed the symphony, card games, and bingo. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family. She was a vibrant, generous, and funny person with a kind and gentle soul, and she will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved her.
Yoshi is survived by her children, Dennis Craft and his wife Michelle of Middletown, and Christine Babbitt of Bridgewater, MA. She leaves her grandchildren John Bruchhagen of Las Vegas, NV, Sara Craft of Providence, Tamara Alejandro of West Islip, NY, and Kelley Alexander of Kennesaw, GA. She also leaves two step-grandchildren Christina Viera of Chepachet, and Allison Viera of Middletown, and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband James Matthews, her ex-husband and the father of her children James Craft, and her son-in-law Russell Babbitt.
The family greatly appreciates the care and kindness she received from the staff at Village House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in her final years.
Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Yoshi’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association of RI, 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906.