Patricia Ann Mathias

Patricia Ann Mathias

December 10, 1933 - June 04, 2018
Laguna Niguel CA

Patricia Ann Mathias

December 10, 1933 - June 04, 2018
Laguna Niguel CA

Obituary

In Loving Memory of our Mother

Patricia Ann Mathias

December 10th, 1933 – June 4th, 2018-06-20

The life of our mother, Patricia Ann Mathias, was a life filled with such joy, love, and giving of her heart to her family and friends.  From her humble beginnings growing up in the Great Depression era and living on a farm, she learned and embraced the traditional values of raising and caring for a family, honoring and loving her husband, and always thinking of the needs and cares of others above her own.

So many memories of her unconditional love have warmly filled our household over the years.  Our mother gave so much of herself through her involvement in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts during those childhood years that it became apparent to all just how much she cared about the welfare of her children and also the children of other parents.  Mom was an amazing cook and baker.  Thoughts of homemade apple pie, pot roast on a cold winter’s night, and all of those delicious birthday cakes are sealed in our hearts as we reminisce on the closeness and oneness of our family.

Mom was as wise as an owl which of course is a testimony to her wonderful collection of all kinds of owl statues proudly displayed in our home.  She was a master of crossword puzzles and scrabble and could remember the most obscure details about places, people, and events.  She had an amazing gift of being able to weave her colorful storytelling into practical lessons for life which has added so much richness and value to our lives.

Throughout her life, our mother was our family’s solid anchor of support and love.  She was always the safe and peaceful harbor that we could rest in, regardless of life’s raging storms and disappointments.  Her warm hugs and soft whispers of loving words will never cease to remind all of us of her unfailing love and devotion to her family throughout all the seasons of our lives.  In Proverbs 31:26-28, the Word of God states the following:

She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her.

These words of truth speak of just how special and precious our mother was and always will be to our family.  Mom, we love you and miss you so very much.

Mom’s legacy continues on with a very extensive family including her husband, two sons, two daughters-in-law, seven grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.

Our family will be having a Celebration of Life event on December 10th, 2018, to remember and rejoice over the life of Patricia Ann Mathias.  She would have been 85 years old.  Details of the event will be made available to all family and friends who would like to attend.

In honor of our mother, a memorial foundation has been established through Salus Homecare who provided such compassionate and comforting care for our mom in her final days. Any donations received will be used to assist Salus’ patients with their homecare costs.  Donations can be sent to: Salus Hospice. 630 Roosevelt, Irvine, CA 92620.  A letter of your Memorial Donation will be sent to you with all our sincere thanks.

May our mother rest in God’s loving care.


“What I’ll Remember About Mom”

 My mom was so many things to me.  She was a trusted advisor, and opinionated conversationalist with a competitive spirit. Mom was smart.

She was not bashful about calling you out when she thought you were wrong.  She was not overly complimentary even when you thought you deserved to be.  I knew she took pride in who I was and who I grew up to be.  Mom built character in me.

She was always there for me and demonstrated unwavering commitment, support and love.  Mom had heart.

She loved her family and cursed those who dare hurt on of us.  Mom, the protector.

From the times I can remember in Nebraska and Kansas she was also a playmate of mine.  Playing and teaching games, Solitaire, Gin Rummy, Yahtzee and more.  It’s silly what you remember, but as a young boy out in our Kansas yard, I came across the biggest grasshopper I’d ever seen.  It had to be 7″ long, black as night, with green stripes and massive wings. I had to have that bug, but did not have the courage to catch it in a jar, but she did.  Mom was brave.

My Den Mother, PTA Mom and Bowling Coach, she was all of them.  She encouraged me to play and sing music.  She taught me how to cook and learn kitchen skills, both of which are my passions today.  She got me through school.  She made me a good man.  Mom was a teacher.

When we were in New York she saw me off to college. Letting me go start a new life only to see my return six months later, as I had fallen for a girl I had to get to know. She was not that little girl’s biggest fan in those days, but oh my, how they eventually became as close as any Mother and Daughter could have been. Debbie was the Daughter not born to her but the one she always wanted and cherished. Mom had passion.

Mom partied at times as good as anyone. From those five o’clock somewhere cocktails at our family home after I turned 18 to fun times we shared at local Happy Hours when we worked together, in a small New York business. It was just last October, she visited me at my home in North Carolina, where we would share our last cocktail together. Truth be told, we also smoked a lot of cigarettes together so many years ago, just shooting the breeze. I wouldn’t change a thing. Mom was a friend.

California dreaming for 30 years where she was Grandma and Great Grandma to my brood. Always still Mom to me. So glad for those Golden years she spent with all of us. Things are not forever.

She’s got so much more to do, but not in this world. Her world now is surrounded by so many people she missed and had so much fun with and love for during her time here. She’s reunited with Janie, Burt, Loretta, Joyce, Ricky, Marge, Augie, Bob, Barb, Bainie, her own Mom and Dad! Too many more to write here. It’s true, family is eternal.

I will miss my Mom in this world, but know I’ll see her in the next. That’s OK Mom, I’m in no hurry. But God I wonder Mom, how big are the Grasshoppers in Heaven,

Dale Arthur Mathias

 

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10 responses to Patricia Ann Mathias

  1. Dear Mom,

    I miss you so much my heart aches. We shared 45 years of being Mother and Daughter. You raised an amazing son that has become the love of my life. You were the best conversationalist and listener. You were always there for me when I needed you. I have so many treasured memories that will live in my heart and mind forever.

    I Love You!

    Debbie

  2. Dick Mathias says:

    If it wasn’t for Patti my wife, Joyce, and I might never have gotten together. In preparation for their marriage in Dec. “53”, when my brother Dave and I were both home on furlough from the Air Farce, .Patti and Dave invited me to their wedding rehearsal where close friend Joyce was the maid of honor, I knew Joyce since the fifth grade in Hobart, IN, but I never dreamed we would .meet again years later. We hit it off-Joyce says my uniform closed the deal.. We became engaged before I left for Korea. We married when I returned..in May, “55” Patti and Dave have been .our close friends ever since.

  3. Dear Dave,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the families, at this time.9

  4. I remember being special to my Grandmother, maybe it was because I was the oldest, the first born, the single mother who needed her most or maybe she just saw a lot of herself in me at times. My Grandma was always there for me, as my second mother and the first person I would call when I found myself in a “situation.”

    As a small child, I lived in my grandmother’s home with my parents for a year or so. One day, while feeling “creative,” I colored all over her curio cabinet and dining room walls with a crayon. My Grandpa sure was mad! I’m sure she was too, but you never would have known if she was, because she carried herself with such composure. She told me what I did was wrong and not allowed, grabbed a sponge and some paper towels and cleaned up my mess. Over the course of the next thirty years, she was always there to clean up many messes for me. I could always count on my grandmother to be there for me, to support me, to love me and to help me and my children.

    As a teenager, when I would run out of gas on the side of the road, who did I call? Well Grandma of course and minutes later she was sending my Grandpa to pick me up on the side of the road with a gas can. Then they would fill up my car with gasoline and explain to me the importance of always keeping the tank above a ¼ full. This event happened multiple times mind you,Ha-ha But she was always there for me no matter what.

    When my cat died, she was there then too. I was so upset, so she rushed over to my apartment complex, to hug me and to help me. We cried together. Her hugs were so comforting.

    At just 21 years old when I gave birth to my daughter Jayden, my Grandma promised me she would be there. And even though she made it just in time, when I heard those first cries from my child, I looked over to see tears of happiness in my own Mother’s and Grandmother’s eyes as they stood by my side.

    Over the years, I made mistakes. No one is perfect. When the tires were bald on the car, when the holidays came, but a check didn’t, the challenges of life. Who did I call? Well my Grandma and I’d cry to her on the phone about whatever mess I had made or gotten myself into, sometimes she would even cry with me. And the following day, she cleaned up my mess and the bill was paid or the grocery money was magically in my checking account. All the things she did for me that I will never have the chance to repay her for.

    A new boyfriend comes along, now my husband Joshua, and I wanted to impress him with his favorite birthday cake. My Grandma and I spent the day in her kitchen while she taught me how to bake a German Chocolate Cake. I’m sure my husband would agree that I haven’t made one as good as the one she baked with me that day since, but no one makes a better birthday cake than Grandma! We will All miss her cakes. She also taught me how to prepare the ultimate Thanksgiving Dinner so I can carry on our family traditions, which I’ll take pride in, even though it won’t be quite the same without her.

    When I got married, my Grandma promised me that as long as she was still here on this earth, she would come to North Carolina to be at my wedding. In October 2016, there she was, walking with us down the aisle, arm-in-arm with my Grandfather, on one of the happiest days of our lives. She always kept her promises.

    I treasure the times we sat at your kitchen table and talked for hours, the phone calls while Grandpa shouted in the background that we talked too much and all the clothes boxes that never stopped coming from Kohls for the kids. Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most. She was such a generous and thoughtful person who took so much pride in her great-grandchildren and family. Always bragging about how smart and artistic they are.

    I’m so thankful to have had her for the first thirty years of my life, as we all know I needed her! I’m also fearful to spend my next thirty years without her, but I know she is resting in a better place now. And one day in the future when I have a grandchild, I hope she knows that I will always be there to clean up their mess.

    Love,

    Danielle Ari Mathias

  5. Dear Aunt Patti,
    Being the youngest of your brother Bert’s daughters I spent very little time with you and Uncle Dave. And we really only corresponded through Christmas cards until the last six months or so when we had a few catch up phone calls. I will always be thankful for California fires, only because that’s why I called to check on you, and for just being able to be close to family again, if only for a little while. I will miss you, I will check on Uncle Dave and please give my Dad a hug and kiss for me.
    Love Always,
    Your niece,
    Cathy

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