Marianne “Tootsie” (Matthews) Slater, 71, of Winchester, passed peacefully at home, lovingly surrounded by family and friends. Born and raised in Somerville, she was the beloved wife of Ron Slater, with whom she shared 47 years of marriage while raising their family in Winchester. A homemaker, Mrs. Slater was active in the Winchester community and in her children’s activities. She enjoyed membership in the PTA at St. Mary’s School, loved working with kids, and could be found substitute teaching at St. Mary’s when needed. In her spare time, Tootsie enjoyed summers in Nahant. Known as a person who loved people and anything Irish, the family’s Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day parties were always anticipated by family and friends.
Mrs. Slater was the loving mother of Sean Slater and his wife Kerry of Franklin, Terry Slater and his wife Aileen of Wakefield, Monica Ross and her husband Derek , Shannon Sullivan and her husband Jim, all of Winchester. Tootsie was also the devoted sister to Kevin Matthews of Lynnfield, Sheila Christensen of Medford, Colleen Poth of Nahant, and the late Daniel Matthews. She was also the loving grandmother “Mimi” to Kaelah, Patrick, Brendan, Seamus, Declan, Siobhan, Liam and Molly, and is further survived by 25 nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Thurs., Aug. 14 @ 9AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester at 10AM. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. Visiting Hours will be held in the funeral home on Wed. from 4-8PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.