m_wimpress, I’m MATE addicted (LOVE IT) but understand and fully support your ‘retiring’ from this effort. IF you don’t find someone else (you/we can trust) to take over - Ubuntu is Excellent and meets all my need. If Mate ends, I will miss it. (I”m from the Unix before Linux days so I am used to OSs/desktops/etc. ending, but always a sadness seeing a favorite go).
Thank you for your over a decade of providing Mate!
God Bless you (and your loved ones) on your future endeavors/retirement/other…
Dave Stewart