Richard & Jacqueline Matchinsky

Surrounded by the love of their family, Richard “Dick” Matchinsky (March 10, 2021) and Jacqueline “Jackie” Matchinsky (November 20, 2021) left this earth to join our Heavenly Father and remain together for all eternity. There is not a day that goes by that they are not missed and loved.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 21, 2022 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Internment will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery with military honors provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass at the church.

Dick was born in Melrose, Minnesota on May 4, 1935, to Frank and Helen (Flock) Matchinsky. Jackie was born in Freeport, Minnesota on April 20, 1936, to Elmer and Adeline (Cech) Stommes. Dick and Jackie attended Melrose High School and became high school sweethearts. Their love continued to blossom and on August 20, 1955, Jackie (Jace as she was known in high school) and Dick were married. Together they would be blessed with a large family of 6 children who they loved and nurtured. They embraced every opportunity to visit and catch up with their children. They raised their children in St. Cloud, Detroit Lakes, and Perham, Minnesota. They later moved to Glendale, Arizona and after they retired, they moved to Tucson, Arizona. They were known as “Papa” and “Nana” to not only their grandchildren and great grandchildren, but to anyone who got to know them. Over the last several years, they savored the love and companionship of their precious spoiled puppy, Lily, who remained by both of their bedsides.

They purchased a home away from home where they were able to enjoy their summers at their cabin in Forest Lakes, Arizona, in which they absolutely loved being in the tall timbers with nature all around them. They loved to sit on the deck swing and watch the grass grow, the wildflowers and trees bloom, and wait for their vegetables to grow. They created a place for family and friends to enjoy, which will be a cherished legacy for many years to come. Even though their hobbies were not always the same, Jackie did get the pleasure of tagging along on many hunting and fishing trips. However, if the “kids” were coming to visit, she never hesitated to send Dick on his way so she could stay home and spend time with her family. Over the years, the cabin was that special place for them to spend time with family and watch the kids grow up and learn all about gardening, planting trees, growing grass, experiencing wildlife up close, and of course fixing things as needed.

Dick and Jackie continued to love each other more every day, and they grew that love through their ever-growing family over the more than 65 years they were married. They leave behind their beloved puppy, Lily, and their children; Joan Baumann, Rick (Kathy) Matchinsky, Sandy (Phil) Riestenberg, Mary (Maarten) Kalway, Margo Scialo, and Amy (Dan) Miller, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. They also leave behind many relatives and friends.

They are preceded in death by their parents, Dick’s twin brother Robert “Bob” Matchinsky, and their granddaughter, Cassidy Matchinsky.