Obituary for Jeannine Perez (Matthews)
Jeannine Matthews Perez passed away peacefully on November 16, 2019 after a long illness. Jeannine was born in the fall of 1928 in Dallas, Texas to Eulah and John T. Matthews. She married Andrew Perez on New Year’s Day in 1949. Married almost seventy-one years, Andy was the love of her life. She was happiest when she was with him. He was as devoted to her as she was to him. They raised six children: Belinda Gregory, Julie Perez (Gary Carpenter), Timothy Perez (deceased), Thomas Perez, Terrence Perez, and Anne Perez (Joel Forgus). Jeannine is survived by her brother, John Matthews, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Mom was the quintessential Mother. She was a model of kindness and unconditional love, who supported and listened to us without judgment or criticism. She was a gentle spirit who believed in the goodness of all people and she treated everyone with kindness and respect. An eternal optimist, Mom always knew things would work out for the best. She was serious, but she didn’t take herself seriously. Not many people knew what a delightful, dry sense of humor she had. Mom was not a black and white, either-or person. She saw potential, possibilities and multiple perspectives, which only made her more accepting of people’s flaws and weaknesses.
Mother was a true intellectual, who pursued knowledge and truth all of her life. She was a voracious reader and a life-long learner. Jeannine returned to college in 1972 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1975 at North Texas State University (now UNT). After graduating, she quickly enrolled in philosophy courses which became her passion for many years. While her formal education came to an end, she studied philosophy, religion, and psychology for the rest of her life. She even studied Astrology and spent many years developing detailed, interesting charts for family and friends. Mother rarely read fiction. She was a deep thinker who dedicated her life to the pursuit of knowledge.
Mom will be greatly missed but her legacy of kindness lives on in the hearts and souls of those who loved her.
Mom was the quintessential Mother. She was a model of kindness and unconditional love, who supported and listened to us without judgment or criticism. She was a gentle spirit who believed in the goodness of all people and she treated everyone with kindness and respect. An eternal optimist, Mom always knew things would work out for the best. She was serious, but she didn’t take herself seriously. Not many people knew what a delightful, dry sense of humor she had. Mom was not a black and white, either-or person. She saw potential, possibilities and multiple perspectives, which only made her more accepting of people’s flaws and weaknesses.
Mother was a true intellectual, who pursued knowledge and truth all of her life. She was a voracious reader and a life-long learner. Jeannine returned to college in 1972 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1975 at North Texas State University (now UNT). After graduating, she quickly enrolled in philosophy courses which became her passion for many years. While her formal education came to an end, she studied philosophy, religion, and psychology for the rest of her life. She even studied Astrology and spent many years developing detailed, interesting charts for family and friends. Mother rarely read fiction. She was a deep thinker who dedicated her life to the pursuit of knowledge.
Mom will be greatly missed but her legacy of kindness lives on in the hearts and souls of those who loved her.