Obituary notices, week of June 22, 2026 through June 28, 2026

This column carries notices for three Ayer-resident obituaries published this week: Joan Aurora Rogers, Pearl May Hatch, and James B. Matthews, all handled by Anderson Family Funeral Homes.

Joan Aurora Rogers, 92, of Ayer, died June 6, 2026. She was predeceased by her husband Edwin H. Rogers, her brother Robert Miller, and her parents Aurora Miller and William Miller. She is survived by her grandchildren Samuel, Emily, and Cameron, and her stepgrandson Jason. Service information was not listed in the obituary. Memorial donations may be made to the MSPCA per the family's wishes. Full obituary at Echovita: https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/ma/ayer/joan-rogers-21731498

Pearl May Hatch, 61, of Ayer, died June 12, 2026. She was predeceased by her parents George M. Hatch Sr. and Mary Hatch (LeBlanc). She is survived by her significant other Kimberly Beal of Ayer; her siblings George Hatch Jr. of Maynard, Benjamin Hatch (Laurel) of Marlborough, Charles Hatch of Ayer, Belinda Brown (David) of Citrus Springs, FL, and Jennifer Engel (Charles) of Lunenburg; and her sister-in-law Jennifer Beal of North Andover. Visitation was held Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Anderson Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Rd, Ayer. A graveside service was held Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Evergreen Cemetery, 133 Wilson St, Marlborough. Memorial donations may be made to Cooperative Elder Services, Inc., Attn: Erica Johnson, Executive Director, 2352 Main Street, Suite 108, Concord, MA 01742, per the family's wishes. Full obituary at Echovita: https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/ma/ayer/pearl-hatch-21692917

James B. Matthews, 75, of Ayer, died June 13, 2026. He was born July 5, 1950, in Lowell, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his parents Thomas Matthews and Jacquelyn Matthews of North Chelmsford, MA. He is survived by his wife Shari; his daughter Tasha Matthews; and his siblings Cindy Blake (Frank) of Gilmanton, NH, Tami Arsenault (Tom) of Nashua, NH, John Matthews (Erin) of Brockton, MA, and Timothy Matthews (Kathy) of Merrimack, NH. Visitation was held Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Anderson Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Rd, Ayer. Memorial donations may be made to Buddy Dog Humane Society in Sudbury, MA, per the family's wishes. Full obituary at Echovita: https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/ma/ayer/james-matthews-21705686

Notices compiled from Echovita.