Alice Matera

Alice Matera, beloved matriarch and a woman of boundless generosity, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2025, at the age of 99. Born on November 3, 1925, Alice lived a rich and vibrant life, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and cherished memories. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Constantine “Connie” Matera, with whom she shared a deep and enduring bond.

Alice was a devoted mother to her daughters, Michele (Rick) Johnsen, Linda (David) Ziarnowski, and Teresa Amoedo, who survive her. She was the cherished grandmother to Joshua, Zach, and Blake Johnsen; Jacob and Georgia Ziarnowski; and Adam, Isabel, and Mathew Amoedo. Her love extended to her great-grandchildren, Zoe, Levi, and Olivia Johnsen, whom she adored with all her heart.

Alice will be remembered for her famous meatballs and other Italian specialties. Some family favorites were her beef soup, stuffed artichokes and mushrooms and her amazing Sunday gravy.

She reigned as the “Queen of Bingo” and loved nothing more than a lively card game with her friends. An avid reader, she found enjoyment in the novels of Danielle Steel, Sydney Sheldon and James Patterson, often becoming lost in their pages. Alice had a deep appreciation for classic cinema, favoring old-time movies starring Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Joan Crawford, and Bette Davis. Her absolute favorite was Gone with the Wind, and she famously quipped, “Why doesn’t anybody want to ask me what movie to watch? I know all the good ones.” Films made after 1950 held little interest for her—she preferred the golden age of Hollywood.

Music was another joy in Alice’s life, particularly the crooning of Frank Sinatra. She often recounted the day she met him in an elevator before he became a household name, proudly securing his autograph—a treasure she held dear. She hated “putting people out” and found her greatest fulfillment in doing things for those she loved.

In her later years at the nursing home, Alice’s warmth and sweetness endeared her to everyone she met. Staff and residents alike described her as a grandmotherly figure, always ready with a kind word and a treat—Entenmann’s cakes and cookies were a staple for anyone who visited her room. When she passed, the nursing home staff felt they had lost their own grandmother, a testament to her gentle and giving spirit.

Alice’s devotion to her family was unwavering. She leaves behind a void that will be felt by all who knew her, but her memory will live on in the countless lives she touched.

Funeral arrangements will be held at the James Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., with interment to follow on Thursday at Calverton National Cemetery, where she will be reunited with her beloved Constantine.

Alice Matera will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love, selflessness, and joy will endure forever.

~ The staff of James Funeral Home would like to thank you

for the honor and privilege of serving your family

and with our most sincere condolences and continued support to you. ~

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of James Funeral Home, 540 Broadway, Massapequa, New York.

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