Nancy Ellen Mathews, devoted to her family
Nancy Ellen Mathews, 84, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Sunday, May 4, 2014, at her home. She was born Friday, Feb. 14, 1930, daughter of the late Willard A. and Angela (Klimchok) Renk.
Nancy was a loving and devoted mother to her dear family. Everyone that knew her called her “Mom,” even if they were not related. If anyone ever needed a place to rest their head or a nice meal, you could always count on Nancy to take care of her children’s friends. She was a mother to all and touched so many lives In fact she was so loved by many, that the kids, grandchildren and friends would hang out with her endearing spirit.
Nancy was an avid gardener. She planted her garden to show color every week. Never a day would you not walk by and see her sitting on her favorite chair on her front porch saying hello to people and reading her favorite book. Nancy was part of a 50-year book club with friends that continued to blossom as her flowers. She was an avid traveller and traveled with her family to many countries throughout the world.
Nancy was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wis. In 1955 she met the love of her life, Joe, and moved to Washington, D.C., where they began their family. In 1976, she retired to Rehoboth Beach.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Mathews was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph A. Mathews Jr.; her sister, Patricia Bledsoe and her brother, Bill Renk. She is survived by three sons: Joseph A. Mathews III and his wife Lori of Lewes, Kevin Mathews and his wife Jennifer of Clarksville and William Mathews and his wife Linda of Monroe, Wis.; five daughters: Nancie A. Mathews and her friend Karen Kerestes of Nanticoke, Pa., Mary Colburn and her husband Shawn of Milton, Esther Mathews, Sara Mathews and Ruth Mathews and her husband Anthony Shipyan all of Rehoboth Beach; four grandsons: Joseph IV and Logan Mathews both of Lewes, Eric Mathews of Rehoboth Beach and K. Luke Mathews of Clarksville; five granddaughters: Shannon Colburn of Rehoboth Beach, Bridget Marshall of Lewes, Patricia Colburn of Milton, Emily Mathews of Clarksville and Ellery Mathews of Mozambique, Africa; a great-grandson, Joseph Mathews of Rehoboth Beach; and a brother, Ralph Renk of Napersville, Ill.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, May 9, at 11 a.m., at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be held at a later time at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
