Grace L. Mathewson (nee Musser), 92, of Phoenix, Arizona, peacefully passed away at Hacienda Granada assisted living on December 29, 2022. Beloved wife of the late Donald A. Mathewson. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 28, 1930, loving daughter of the late August and Lillian Musser; dear sister of the late Leroy; fond aunt of Nancy (late Larry) Peterson, Larry Musser, Steve (Karen) Musser, Mike (Janice) Musser, and Cindy (Robert) McKeating; grand aunt of nine. Grace graduated from Gage Park High School in Chicago. She married Don Mathewson in Chicago in September 1960. Grace worked at the Armour Headquarters in Chicago, IL until 1971 when Armour headquarters relocated in Phoenix, Arizona. Grace and Don welcomed the offer to move to the warmer temperatures. Moving to Phoenix Grace enjoyed golf, bowling, ASU football games together with Don and friendships with many Armour employees including heading the Armour Amigos Retirement Club.
Grace retired in the mid-80s which gave her and Don the freedom to travel the United States in their motorhome. They would leave Phoenix before Memorial Day and head to the Midwest for the summers. A visit to the Chicagoland area every summer involved visiting with nieces and nephews, and many friends, including Grace’s famous Chicago club group of ladies. Grace and Don achieved the status of traveling to all 50 states and enjoying their timeshare in Mexico every month of November. Grace loved crafts and each year she kept herself busy making yarn needlepoint ornaments for her grand nieces and nephews for Christmas. She was a Chicago Cubs and Bears fan, too!
Grace had a lively outgoing personality and when she would introduce herself, she would say my name is Grace as in amazing Grace! A thank you to the Hacienda Granada assisted living where Grace was well cared for by staff and was able to enjoy the last years of her life and not to forget the Hospice of the Valley nurse, Kim for constant communication of weekly updates. Yes, Grace loved to dance we remember seeing her dancing at age 89 with a 99-year-old resident and she could still cut a rug on the dance floor in the kitchen at Hacienda Granada.
Grace was a member of the Shepard of the Valley Lutheran Church, 1500 W Maryland Ave., Phoenix, AZ. Interment will be private at Evergreen Cemetery in Evergreen Park, IL.
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