Patricia Jean Boatman

Patricia Matthew Boatman, retired educator and librarian, died Saturday July 18, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at the age of 69.

Born in New Orleans on August 17, 1956, to the late Miriam Bogel Matthew and the late Millard Emile Matthew Sr., she was a resident of rural Folsom for the past 23 years.

Beloved wife of John Ewing Boatman Sr., she was survived by two children Janet Lois Boatman and John Ewing Boatman Jr.  (Ansley), and three grandsons, John Ewing Boatman III, Jacob Alexander Boatman, and Joseph Perry Boatman. Sister of Suzanne L. Matthew, Millard E. Matthew Jr. (Kathy), Peggy M. Good (Bill), and John E. Matthew II (Robin).

Patricia attended Grace King High in Metairie and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1980 with a degree in secondary education, and later received her masters degree in library and information science from LSU in 2008.

Patricia was a lifelong educator and public librarian. She was a branch manager at the Folsom, Thibodaux, and Galliano Libraries. Later she served as the director of the Cameron Parish Library and the Audubon Library System in East and West Feliciana Parishes. Patricia ended her career with the Washington Parish Library. She was a past member of the American Library Association , Louisiana Library Association, and Association for Rural and Small Libraries.

Patricia enjoyed being with her dear friends, visiting her beloved grandsons, cooking, baking, reading, painting, and helping her husband with gardening.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend graveside services on Saturday July 25, 2026 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery, 75376 River Road, St. Benedict, LA.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent to the Cancer Research Institute or the American Cancer Society.