Marcia A. Mattson (nee Hoffman) age 54 years of Thorofare died suddenly on Wednesday August 6, 2008. Mrs. Mattson was born in Reading, PA and lived in Thorofare for 25 years. She worked as a Teacher’s Aide at West Deptford Middle School and also as a Receptionist at Images Hair Salon, Woodbury. Mrs. Mattson worked for many years in the refreshment stand for West Deptford Little League. She was a devoted Wife and Mother and she enjoyed watching her children play sports.

She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Stephen A. Mattson of Thorofare; her children Christopher and Kelly Mattson, both at home; her father, Charles Hoffman of Reading and her brother, Kerry and Jill Hoffman of West Lawn, PA. Mrs. Mattson was predeceased by her mother, Jacqueline Hoffman.

The Funeral Service will be held at 7 PM Sunday August 10, 2008 in the McBRIDE – FOLEY FUNERAL HOME, 228 West Broad Street, Paulsboro. Friends may call Sunday evening from 5 to 7 PM. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the Sean McKenna Baseball Scholarship Fund, c/o West Deptford Twp., Po Box 89, West Deptford, NJ 08086. Memories can be shared at

JONES, BETTY E.

Age 85, of Fort Myers, FL, formerly of South Jersey, passed away July 30, 2008.

She was born in Doylestown, PA March 3, 1923 to her parents William and Margaret McClain.

Wife of late Charles \’Big Biff\’ Jones, survivors include her sons, William Jones and Charles G. Jones III, ten grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and two great, great, grandchildren. She was preceded in death by herbeloved daughter, Deborah Jones.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass celebrating her life at 12 noon Saturday, August 9, 2008 at St. Joan of Arc Church, Collings Ave., Fairview, NJ.

Several readers have commented about the Spot-A-Potty sitting at Market Street and US 130 on property owned by the state of New Jersey for the past several months. The unsightly commode was placed there last year to be use by construction workers repairing nearby Route 295. The work is finished but the Spot-A-Potty, (Mr.John) that sticks out like a sore thumb, remains. In the far distance is a \”Welcome to Gloucester City\” sign.

The state left the parcel of property in deplorable condition. Where there were once trees and grass there is nothing but bare ground and construction trash. Since it is a main entrance into Gloucester City the appearance of the property reflects on our community.

I am urging our City Officials to contact the State and have the property restored and cleaned. Some grass seed, flowers and trees is not too much to ask of Governor Corzine/Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts. I for one am tired of Gloucester City being pushed around by county and state agencies. I am still upset over Public Service Gas and Electric erecting those giant telephone poles along Market Street and Broadway.

Thursday afternoon (August 7) around 1 PM I rode by the boarded up house on North Broadway that is being used by the \”Bottle Gang\” as their outdoor tavern. There sitting on the porch and steps of the boarded up property were several men, along with a woman, who from their outward actions appeared to be drunk. Big bottles of beer were being passed around by the group. Two younger people had just stepped off the porch and staggered south along Broadway.

Once again this is a main highway in our community. I wonder what a stranger must think about Gloucester City after seeing this sight. This is happening in broad daylight. And from the \”TIPS\” I received has been going on for some time.

I have asked the Police Department to look into this matter, sending photos of the individuals, and have also brought it to the attention of Mayor and Council.

Hopefully by all of us (the public, city government, and city agencies) working together we can address issues such as those mentioned before they fester and grow.

I love Gloucester City and wouldn’t live anywhere else. But through the 90’s we (you and I) became complacent and allowed our community to spiral downwards. We need to join together and bring it back to what it once was. Stop sitting on the sidelines and get involved.

~Bill Cleary (www.clearysnotebook.com)

Related: Tips and Snippets

David P. Hall, age 57 of Westville, NJ formerly of Phila., PA passed away Monday, Aug. 4, 2008 at Underwood Mem. Hospital.

He graduated from Germantown High School, attended Texas Southern Univ. and built a successful business \”Miss Essie’s Bar-B-Que\”.

Survived by his wife; Joyce, son; Raheem Hall (Theresa) of Castro Valley, CA, granddaughter; Taylor of NC, mother; Elizabeth F. Hall of Phila., PA and a host of relatives and friends.

Services will be held 11 am. Monday Aug. 11, 2008 at North Baptist Church, 1020 North Evergreen Ave., Woodbury, NJ. Viewing: 9 am – 11 am. Internment: Woodbury Memorial Park in West Deptford, NJ. Arr. by: BAGWELL FUNERAL HOME, Penns Grove, NJ.