Remembering my Mother's Cousin Pat

With the passing of my mother's cousin Patsy Jean Mathers, I know of no other "grown-ups" who remain from my childhood. We're next.

(from the tribute wall at h-p-w.com)

Mrs. Patricia “Pat” Jean Mathers formerly of North Henderson and Galesburg, passed away at the Courtyard Estates of Knoxville at the age of 99, March 3, 2026.

Pat was born in Bay City, Michigan on September 12, 1926, the daughter of Sigard and Opal (Craig) Clark. She spent her early life in Chicago where she lived until her family moved to the country near Rio. At 19 years, she taught at Mt. Vernon School near North Henderson where she met her husband, Gene Mathers. They married in 1949 and became parents of David, Laura and Elizabeth.

In her 40’s she completed her degree in education from Monmouth College. She worked at Harrington Home, First Galesburg Bank and Bergner’s.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, son David, daughter Laura, and twin brothers, Robert and Richard.

Pat is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth (David) Timmons of East Moline, Illinois, daughter-in-law, RoseMary Mathers of North Henderson, Illinois, son-in-law, Jay Brandenburg of Oceanside, California; grandchildren, Melissa, Molly, David, Katie, Sara, Emily, Chris and four great grandchildren.

A special thank you to the staff at Courtyard Estates for their continuous compassion and care.

From the Tribute wall:

• Jenny Clark Spangler
  I was Pat's first cousin on the Clark side of the family. My father was Uncle Sig's brother. I spent a great deal of time at the Mathers farm in North Henderson during summers. Pat was always in a hurry to get somewhere, and whenever the family and other farmers in the area saw a cloud of dust coming up from one of the gravel roads, they knew that Patsy Jean (what Gene called her) was on the move!
• Rita Sprague
  I loved having Pat as a neighbor. She always treated me in such a kind way. She was so sweet with my daughter, Michele. We enjoyed our many visits with her sitting in her garage. My sympathy to Liz and the rest of the family. Rita Sprague
• Galesburg Rescue Mission and Women's Shelter
  Dear Beloved Family of Patricia "Pat" Mathers: On behalf of the Board and Staff of the Galesburg Rescue Mission and Women's Shelter, we would like to express our sincere sympathy. Thank you for your selection of the Galesburg Rescue Mission and Women's Shelter to receive one of the memorial designations. It is such an honor to receive them on behalf of a lady of such respect and integrity and a long-standing leader in our community.
• Nancy Howard
  Pat Mathers was one of the first women leaders I admired. I was 30 when I re-entered the workforce in 1986 after being a stay-at-home mom for several years. Pat had oversight of the downtown First Galesburg National Bank tellers and customer service. She was a great example of professionalism, navigating situations with unhappy customers or employees with grace and confidence. Her people skills and teaching methods were what I admired most. Sometimes teaching in the workplace has as much impact on others as in the education system. I became a manager in Carhartt and used many of the qualities I saw in Pat. My sympathy to the family and my gratitude for the impact in my life of this fine woman. Nancy Tracy Howard

I took this photo of Mom with her cousin when Pat passed through Atlanta on a bus. Pat said at the time that she would not be traveling again. I would heartily agree with her. She had gone from Galesburg to California, to Atlanta, and she had a long way to go. This was a final visit. My sister Kim and I visited Pat two or three times. Here's a story, with a link to a video North By Northwest