Lilly Mathews

An Ocean Park icon, Lilly M. Mathews, 91, died September 24, 2008 in Vancouver, Washington. Lilly, the daughter of Ole and Nellie (Jasperson) Moen, was born in Bemidji, Minnesota on May 2, 1917. The family included her brother Emil and sister Jennie. When she was 8 years old the family came west and traveled down the Deschutes River canyon on the Oregon Trunk railroad to Bend, Oregon. Her father had been called to work there by his employer Shevlin-Hickson Lumber Company. Lilly completed high school and in 1935 married Clayton Mosley. Six years later her husband was killed in a logging accident. Lilly married Bill Mathews in 1955 and they settled in Portland and later Vancouver. In 1979 they moved to Ocean Park. There Lilly became involved in many community projects. She was a member of Ocean Park Eagles 3602, Ocean Park Moose 1930, Long Beach Chapter of A.A.R.P. #1555 and the Peninsula Senior Activity Center in Klipsan Beach where she was instrumental in its building project and was an active supporter and member. Lilly also volunteered at the Ocean Park Food Bank. Lilly was a strong and independent woman. She believed that walking and exercise were the keys to good health and longevity. Her favorite activity was an evening at the Eagles, dancing the night away. All who knew this remarkable woman will never forget her and the world is a better and brighter place because of her presence. Lilly is survived by daughter Connie and husband Del Irish of Vancouver and daughter Janet Bucey of Cornelius, Oregon; 7 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great grandchildren; 6 nephews and a niece. She was preceded in death by her son Jimmy who died at age 6. Graveside rites will be held at Ocean Park Cemetery on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 2:00 PM. The guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.