SALEM - Janice A. "Jan" Matula, 78, a nearly lifelong resident of Salem, passed away at home in her sleep after a long illness on January 30th, 2025.  Born in Newport, RI, Janice was the oldest of 4 children born to the late Joseph J. and Helen T. (Juralewicz) Matula of Salem.  She was raised and educated in Salem, where she proudly attended St. John the Baptist (Polish) Church's grammar school.  A member of Bishop Fenwick High School's 1st graduating Class of 1963, Janice continued her studies at Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Journalism.

Janice held several local jobs such as Salem Recreation Dept. summer playground instructor at Collins Cove, Memorial Park and Salem Common; House of the Seven Gables and Salem Trolley tour guide; and hospital thrift shop manager.  Following work editing and writing at various Manhattan, NY magazines and several years spent enthusiastically exploring "the City," Janice returned to Salem to pursue her journalism career in metro Boston.

Eventually Janice landed her very favorite position in life, Guest Services Representative & Library Auction Catalogue Coordinator at the Peabody Essex Museum ("PEM"), where she spent 40 joyful years.  She NEVER wanted to retire but was obliged to due to illness.  Janice's many dear friends and colleagues always held a very special place in her heart.  Even over the past 6 years when Janice suffered from vascular dementia and other serious illnesses, memories of the Museum remained vivid, particularly her Museum Office Center duties and after-work outings with a group of cherished friends mainly from Visitor Services.  Janice, known as "Jan" to them, was always happy to receive cards, e-mails, gifts and phone inquiries from the broad PEM community.  Her family is profoundly grateful for their loyalty.

A proud Polish-American, Janice loved Polish food, music and culture.  She was a member of St. John's Booster Club, as well as a Bingo and Polish Picnic regular there, and supported Salem's Woman's Friend Society.  Janice made it home from work in time to eat dinner while testing her smarts watching "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy" -- a habit she maintained during her illness, along with following the Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins.

While Janice enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe, her favorite trips involved visiting her former Greenwich Village, NY friends and roommates, as well as bus or train travel to museums in American cities.  She likewise enjoyed visiting Foxwoods and Atlantic City for gaming, musical entertainment, and shopping antiques or jewelry shows. Janice was known for her kindness, generosity, intellectual curiosity, PEM institutional memory, and beautiful, carefully chosen outfits featuring unique jewelry.

Janice is survived by sisters Susan and Jackie, both of Salem, several cherished Juralewicz family cousins, and longtime friends Gloria Pawlyk of Beverly and "Patrizia" Vanacore of Bronx, NY.  Janice was predeceased by her parents; brother Michael of Wenham; many Juralewicz and Matula aunts, uncles and cousins; devoted friends Jeanne Gaebler of Queens, NY, and Edna Kobierski of Salem; and her beloved pet dog, Clancy.

She will be sorely missed.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Janice's visiting hours at O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM, MA on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. followed by her funeral Mass at St. John Paul II Shrine of Divine Mercy, 28 St. Peter Street., Salem at 12 (Noon). In lieu of flowers, donations in Janice's memory may be made to the local organization that often provided expert guidance for her vascular dementia, or to her parish church: Alzheimer's Association Massachusetts / New Hampshire Chapter, 320 Nevada St. (Suite 201) Newton, MA  02460 or to Grand Annual Parish Appeal, St. John Paul II Shrine of Divine Mercy, 28 St. Peter Street Salem, MA  01970. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

Alzheimer's Association - MA Chapter
320 Nevada Street, Suite 201, Newton MA 02460
Web: https://www.alz.org/manh

St. John Paul II Shrine of Divine Mercy/Grand Annual Parish Appeal
28 St. Peter Street, Salem MA 01970
Tel: 1-978-744-1278