Matthew Bartlett

Matthew Joey Bartlett was a caring, loving son and brother. He left this world suddenly and unexpectedly on November 30, 2021 at the tender age of 17. He is survived by parents Crystal and Mark, and siblings Corban, Sydnee, Daniel, Amanda, Michelle, Stephanie, Sarah, and his dog Ruby.

From his earliest childhood days until his passing, Matthew was a joy to know and to be with. In many ways, he was not a typical or average human being. He was born as a twin into a family with no history of twins. The first insight into Matthew’s personality was literally in utero – during ultra-sound examinations, his twin sister Sydnee was typically active and energetic, head bobbing all over. Matthew, however, was calm and relaxed, content to snuggle in the background.

Matthew was born April 15, 2004, just 40 minutes after Sydnee. His calm nature persisted, in contrast to the energetic and outgoing personalities of Sydnee and older brother Corban. A feature unique to Matthew at this very young age was his ability to make every hug count. Matthew leaned into a hug like a little koala, head down, almost purring. Every hug meant a strong connection and complete presence in the moment.

As Matthew grew, it became evident that he was an artist as well as an intellectual. Music just flowed from his very essence, through his fingertips, and into the piano. His artwork was a window into his deep appreciation for and careful observation of the world around him. His renderings of nature and the people he spent time with captured the essence of the subject and emotion with which he created. His writing showcased his rich vocabulary and deep thinking about the world he lived in.

During his early teens, Matthew became lean, tall and naturally athletic. He loved the flow and grace of skating in ice hockey, but once checking was introduced, the sport lost its appeal. He was a calm, gentle soul and as he got older he became just a little more quiet and a little more introspective, more deep-thinking and introverted. In the chaos of the world, he felt most connected in the outdoors and with animals, especially his dog Ruby. He was an old soul in a young body, which pulled him toward questions of meaning, purpose, and connection far beyond what a typical teenager would think to ponder.

The modern world has always been a difficult place for him. He had difficulty navigating the interpersonal relationships that have become so complex and fraught today. As he grew older, he started to find his place and was loved for his empathy and acceptance of all people, thoughts, and ideas. He was old for his age with an amazing level of internal wisdom. Everybody that knew Matthew loved him. He was one who never judged or jumped to conclusions.

There are many things that we, as his family, don’t know about why Matthew left us. But we know this one thing: Matthew knew he was loved and expressed love to all those who were close to him. He did not leave the world as an angry person. His struggle was internal and ever-present, more to do with how he fit into the chaos of our world. We take comfort knowing that he is no longer struggling and can finally be at peace.
A monument in our hearts,
Forever in our lives.
Carry on, your legacy secure,
Your wisdom, nature, music will endure.