Matthew “Matt” Western, 68, of Burlington, Vt., passed away on March 15, 2026, at home, surrounded by loving family after a battle with cancer. Born on January 15, 1958, to Mary Newton Western and David Samuel Western, Matt was the second of five children. He spent his childhood in Windham, Vt., where his mother was born and raised. When he was in middle school, his family moved briefly to Melrose, Mass., though his heart remained in Vermont. He was delighted to transfer to Westtown School, a Quaker boarding school in West Chester, Pa., as a high school sophomore. There he made lasting friendships and excelled on the wrestling mat and in the discus circle, graduating in 1976.
The following summer, Matt set out into the world. He worked on a tugboat transporting grain from Virginia up the Delmarva Peninsula and Nanticoke River into Maryland. In 1977, he was hired on a fishing vessel in Seattle, Wash., and spent a season fishing for salmon on the border of Vancouver. In the spring of 1978, Matt began his education at the University of Vermont, where he studied geology and American history. His early college years were punctuated by working out West, first with a fleet that fished the southern Alaskan coast, then in Roseburg, Ore., where he worked on a tree-planting crew for the company Sun Studs.
It was during his later college years that Matt met the love of his life, Heidi Hansen. She attended his brother’s wedding, where he was the best man. Their connection was immediate. Heidi moved to Fukuyama, Japan, after college, and Matt sold his belongings to get a ticket and follow her there. They married two weeks after his arrival on July 8, 1984, and spent two years teaching English at the YMCA. Their chapter in Japan and the connections they made there remained a defining experience for them. It made Matt an excellent companion for a sushi dinner (as long as he was the one ordering).
When they returned to Vermont in 1986, Matt began his career in carpentry. He launched Western Construction and worked in Burlington as a general contractor for decades. He considered himself lucky to have spent much of his time building in his own New North End neighborhood. While building and renovating, he transformed many clients into friends. The community that he made of the people and families that he worked with is one of the finest testaments to his character. During these years, he and Heidi raised their children. They traveled as a family and as a couple and explored their shared love of the natural world, art, music and the experience of novelty. He retired upon his diagnosis in 2023.
Matt was a devoted husband, a loving father, a thoughtful friend and a generous neighbor. To know him was to know his inquisitive nature, his intelligent wit, his genuine spirit and the safety of his companionship. He was as kind and hardworking as his mother and as creatively sharp and well read as his father. Matt had many passions and endeavors; he loved learning about ferns, playing the standup bass and enjoying his neighborhood beach. Above all, he loved spending time with friends and family in southern Vermont, in the place where he was raised.
Matt is survived by his wife, Heidi Hansen Western; daughter, Ruby Western (spouse Ali Hoefnagel), and granddaughter, Violet Jacobs; son, Jonas Western (spouse Natalie Freiheit Western); siblings, Samuel Western, Margaret Western McLaren, Joanna Western and Tony Western; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
His memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11 a.m., at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington (152 Pearl St., Burlington, VT) and will be open to the public. Parking is limited; please plan to arrive with ample time.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a charitable donation, please support the North End Food Pantry. If you would like to support a project Matt worked on his whole life, you can learn about the Music House and its preservation here: everloved.com/life-of/matt-western.
This article appears in The Food Issue • 2026.
Heidi, Ruby, Jonas – We love you.
To the Western family, I am holding you in my heart. I know you will buoy each other during this impossible time, and I wish you peace as you navigate grief together. Please know that you are surrounded by love from those who care for you, from near and far.
Matt was one of my clients at the barbershop. When I lost my husband he was so kind and caring. Offering to help in anyway possible. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. May you hold the memories close.
Dear Heidi, Ruby, Jonas and Western family:
My husband, Steve extend our deepest sympathies for the loss of a wonderful individual. I had the pleading of knowing Matt through my friend and colleague, Heidi. Matt will always hold a special place in our heart and soul as a gentle giant. He was taken from the world way too soon and for that, he will leave a void. Sincerely, Lori Dow-Moore and Stephen Moore
*pleasure of knowing Matt
The Matt Western I knew many years ago was as genuine as they come. He liked everyone….. and everyone who came into contact with Matt truly considered him a friend. It’s been many years since I’ve seen Matt but from time to time heard about him through mutual friends. He’s in a good place now but leaves much sadness for his presence and love for all behind. My thoughts go out to his entire family and the so many friends he has. Rest in peace my friend…
Dear Heidi, Ruby, Jonas and Western family,
I practiced yoga with Matt at Laughing River on Monday evenings for many years. We got to know each other because we both liked to position our mats in the middle in front of the teacher, Emily. And we both loved to boom out our OMs at the end of class. He was a wonderful person. I’m so sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace and comfort.
My Square Dance Partner
In this life of ours, you are lucky enough to have a few that, no matter the passage of time, the barricade of distance, or the ebb and flow of life, are lasting friendships. Though part of your past, they flicker though your thoughts when a memory flashes, perhaps fondly embellished over the tick-tock of passing years. My square dance partner, my second cousin, my friend, was one of those special guys. The news of his passing today broke all the hearts of those lucky enough to know him. FUCK CANCER. When he led those slick dance moves to the comforting sound of the Turkey Mountain Window Smashers (the family square dance band), the rhythm of life just made sense. All was how it should be. A sweet metaphor for life, the greetings, the ins and outs of the ‘dosados,’ the passing to new partners, the returning, the smiles, the joy of the moment, the simple complexity of it. Multiple decades later, life’s twists and turns had carried us to opposite coasts when a familiar voice reached out with a welcome phone call. It was a shoutout to the magic of the Boston Bruins winning the Cup (sorry, Canucks fans—I still remember the riots), and in an instant, we were sharing the joy of that moment as if no time had passed. Matt, you were one of the best, your bear hugs, your deep wit, your insightful intelligence, your passion for sports, your talent building homes, your love for your family…you will be missed. Rest in peace. You will remain in my heart forever.