Nancy Mathews

Nancy Mathews passed away in Corona, CA on June 19, 2026, at age 88.

She was born to parents Lester and Helen Hall in East Cleveland, Ohio on July 14, 1937. She had one brother and two sisters. Nancy was raised in East Cleveland and graduated in 1955 from Shaw High School, where she met the love of her life, Ted Mathews. They married on July 2,1955. Nancy and Ted moved to Corona, CA in 1959, where they raised three daughters. Ted worked as a Corona Fire Captain and Nancy was a homemaker. After Ted’s untimely death from job related cancer in 1982, Nancy continued to live in their Corona home with strength and independence until the symptoms of dementia necessitated her relocation to a south Corona care home at the end of 2023.

Nancy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend. She was known for being kind, friendly, helpful, and generous. She was a fun-loving person who was up for anything with a positive attitude. She was always willing to make an effort for anyone and go the extra mile. Not one to dwell on negativity, she lived by the words “what will be, will be”. After her husband’s death, she took up daily walking with a neighbor and continued walking, faithfully and with enthusiasm, as long as she was able. She was talented with sewing and could make anything anyone asked for, including custom surfboard bags! Nancy also enjoyed baking, especially making Christmas cookies with her sister Carol and baking apple pie for holiday gatherings. She was well known in the family for her delicious homemade sandwich bread! She loved doing puzzles and playing Skip Bo. Her generosity was reflected in her regular schedule of blood donation over the years that resulted in over 25 gallons donated. Nancy loved her pets, hosting tea parties, visiting with friends and family, and she always held a special place in her heart for her Corona Fire family. She was patriotic and proudly supported our service members. We are proud to have had a person of such outstanding and lovable character in our lives, who left a positive lasting impact on all who knew her.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, and older sister. She is survived by her three daughters, 7 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, her younger sister, and many nieces and nephews. The quote below is a perfect description of her. She will be always be missed, but will live on in our memories and the choices we make that reflect her light into the world.

“…she was one of those happily created beings who please without effort, make friends everywhere, and take life so gracefully and easily that less fortunate souls are tempted to believe that such are born under a lucky star.” ― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women