Obituary of Barbara C. Mathewson
Barbara Cornelia (Connie) Mathewson passed away in the company of her family on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at the age of 91. She was born on March 14, 1927 in Casper, Wyoming, to Dr. Ralph and Gladys Olsen Murane. A few years later they moved to Anaheim, California, where she graduated from Santa Ana High School. Connie studied opera for six years, including her years at Santa Ana Community College where she met the love of her life, Thomas Walker Mathewson. Connie was asked to audition for the New York Metropolitan Opera but instead she chose to marry Tom. They were married on February 5, 1949, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Santa Ana. It was a marriage that lasted for more than sixty nine years until her passing, resulting in 5 children, 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
After the wedding she moved with her husband Tom to Berkeley, California, where Tom graduated from the University of California in 1950. Their next move was to Casper, Wyoming, where their son Thomas and daughter Mary were born in 1950 and 1952 respectively. They then moved to Yuma, AZ, in 1952, and two years later settled in Lomita, California. Their son Daniel was born in 1966, then another son John and daughter Ann were born two years after. 1970 saw a move with Mobil Oil to Munster, Indiana, then to Minooka, Illinois. In 1982 they were transferred to Tokyo, Japan, and then to Saudi Arabia for a challenging but fascinating and rewarding two years.
When they returned from Saudi Arabia Tom retired from Mobil Oil. They settled in Santa Maria, California, and a few years later they moved to Oro Valley, Arizona, just north of Tucson. Several years later in 2015 they moved to Santa Clarita, California, to be near family, and then in 2017 made a final move to Morris, Illinois, to enjoy the company of more wonderful family members and the loving care of her daughter Mary and son-in-law Mike Eikey.
While raising the family she was a rock of calm, always ready to listen and give us steady, wise and loving advice. She joined the Catholic Church when she married Tom, and was a faithful member of the Church to the day of her passing. In later years she sang in church choirs for many decades, and even sang at her son Tom’s wedding in 1979. She also taught grade school at St. Lawrence Martyr School in Redondo Beach, California, for five years. She was a strong swimmer and an accomplished skier, and once surprised and earned the respect of her students while surfing at Torrance Beach, California.
Her final days at Park Pointe in Morris, Illinois, were spent with family around her, and she passed while surrounded by her husband, children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her loving husband Thomas, son Tom (Mary), daughter Mary (Mike Eikey), son Dan, son John (Danica) and daughter Ann (Edgar Aguilar). She is also survived by her sister Nancee (Jim Kilbourne). Surviving grandchildren are Lewis and Elizabeth Norton (Mary), Emma and Claire (John), and Anthony and Jessica (Ann). Great-grandchildren are Logan (Lewis Norton), Quentin and Aleah (Elizabeth Norton), and Ashton (Anthony Aguilar).
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 12, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 516 E. Jackson Street, Morris, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital online in the fund named “In Loving Memory of Barbara (Connie) Mathewson.” Arrangements entrusted to Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, Morris, IL. For information (815) 942-5040 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
