April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
ST. MARY'S, ONEONTA
Respect and American pride are hallmarks for 108-year-old
Respect and American pride are hallmarks for 108-year-old
"Always respect everybody," declared the 108-year-old parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Oneonta. "You've got to respect to be respected."
Family, faith, food, friends, flowers and fun are also on Mrs. Mathews' priority list.
One of the oldest Catholics in the Albany Diocese, Mrs. Mathews was born on Oct. 9, 1908, and grew up with her three sisters in Otsego County. Her father worked on the railroad, while her mother was a factory worker.
When she was old enough, Mrs. Mathews took a job at a dress factory in Oneonta, supervising 120 women. She was married to her husband, Thomas, a printer at the Oneonta Star newspaper, for 52 years until he passed away more than three decades ago.
"I never was pregnant," she said, although she had many nieces and nephews she loved like children -- including Albert Bagnardi, the late husband of Carol Bagnardi, who still visits Mrs. Mathews each week.
"We've always been close," Mrs. Bagnardi told The Evangelist, who's the only living member on her side of the family still living in the area. "She needs me now."
Until April of this year, Mrs. Mathews lived in her own home in Oneonta. Now in a nursing facility, she'll get to go out to dinner with Mrs. Bagnardi on Thanksgiving.
Strong faith has been part of the centenarian's life for as long as she can remember. For most of her life, she attended daily Mass at St. Mary's; she was a member of the altar guild and the rosary society.
Mrs. Mathews remembers when the church was at its old location at the corner of Grand and Main Streets. The parish moved to Walnut Street in 1956.
In those days, she used to volunteer at parish dinners. "One year, they served 800 spaghetti dinners," she said. "Then they closed off Grand Street and they danced all night."
Mr. and Mrs. Mathews were avid dancers themselves who regularly stepped out at the local Elks Club and elsewhere: "We always went to big band dances. We were formal. He always wore a tux and I always had long gloves."
Traveling was also a big interest; the couple crossed the United States eight times.
"We took different routes" each time, Mrs. Mathews explained, "so we saw a great deal."
The duo would take their old Chevrolet to meet up with another couple who had a mobile home; all four would sleep in the mobile home at night, and Mr. and Mrs. Mathews would hop back in their car in the morning to put more miles on the odometer.
Seeing the Grand Canyon is among her favorite memories. She recalled the amazing view: "It was so beautiful and so much.
"We have so much to be thankful for," she added.
As the country stresses unity after a tumultuous election season, 108-year-old Mrs. Mathews stressed that she has always been proud to be an American.[[In-content Ad]]
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