Mary J. Mathers Welch
September 30, 1923 — February 7, 2011
Mary Mathers Welch, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away at Memorial Medical Center on February 7, 2011. Mary was born on September 30, 1923 in Los Angeles, California to Allece Bolinger Martin and Joseph Martin. She lived in Lancaster, California until age seven, when she moved to Mason City, Illinois. Mary graduated from Mason City High School in Mason Cit...
Mary Mathers Welch, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away at Memorial Medical Center on February 7, 2011. Mary was born on September 30, 1923 in Los Angeles, California to Allece Bolinger Martin and Joseph Martin. She lived in Lancaster, California until age seven, when she moved to Mason City, Illinois. Mary graduated from Mason City High School in Mason City, Illinois and later graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. In 1945, she graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree and went on to teach school in Heyworth, Illinois. Later, Mary moved to Chicago where she worked briefly before becoming a stewardess for United Airlines. In March of 1947, Mary married L.E. "Gene" Mathers, Jr. They joined with Gene's dad in the family cattle and farming operation and went on to expand the farming operation while enjoying many years of exhibiting Shorthorn cattle from coast to coast. Mary and Gene moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico in 1965 and soon after started Mathers Realty. Mary was very active in the community. She served on the Jr. Cotillion Board; she was a member of the Rio Grande Girl Scout Council; a founder of the "Lassies," a supporting organization of the American Shorthorn Association; a member of the Women's Council of Realtors, and a member of the NMSU President Associates Board. Mary belonged to the Las Cruces City Panhellenic, and was a big part of the Aggies are Tough Enough to Wear Pink...
Mary Mathers Welch, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away at Memorial Medical Center on February 7, 2011. Mary was born on September 30, 1923 in Los Angeles, California to Allece Bolinger Martin and Joseph Martin. She lived in Lancaster, California until age seven, when she moved to Mason City, Illinois. Mary graduated from Mason City High School in Mason City, Illinois and later graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. In 1945, she graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree and went on to teach school in Heyworth, Illinois. Later, Mary moved to Chicago where she worked briefly before becoming a stewardess for United Airlines. In March of 1947, Mary married L.E. "Gene" Mathers, Jr. They joined with Gene's dad in the family cattle and farming operation and went on to expand the farming operation while enjoying many years of exhibiting Shorthorn cattle from coast to coast. Mary and Gene moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico in 1965 and soon after started Mathers Realty. Mary was very active in the community. She served on the Jr. Cotillion Board; she was a member of the Rio Grande Girl Scout Council; a founder of the "Lassies," a supporting organization of the American Shorthorn Association; a member of the Women's Council of Realtors, and a member of the NMSU President Associates Board. Mary belonged to the Las Cruces City Panhellenic, and was a big part of the Aggies are Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign. Mary was seen at most NMSU basketball and football games and at many other events. Mary was predeceased by her husband Gene in 1978, but continued to operate Mathers Realty in his absence, up until the time that she turned over the reins of the business to Van Bullock and her daughter Laura in 1992. She continued her Real Estate Broker duties energetically until her passing. In 1991 Mary married Dr. James E. Welch and they enjoyed many happy years together before his passing in 2009. Mary's positive attitude about life was an inspiration to all who knew her. She is survived by her two children, Dr. L.E. "Les" Mathers, III of Morton, Illinois and Laura Mathers Conniff and husband Dr. John Conniff of Las Cruces, New Mexico and grandchildren Tom Mathers, Peoria, Illinois.; Katie Mathers, Upland, Indiana; Lindsay Mathers, Morton, Illinois.; Ryan Paulowsky and wife Whitney of Atlanta, Georgia.; Sarah P. Rice and husband Cameron of Dallas, Texas.; two great grandchildren, Mary Kiley and William Paulowsky; and stepchildren James Welch, Julie Shultz, Holly Finlay and their families. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mary Mathers Welch fund , NMSU Foundation Box 3590, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003 or to the NMSU Aggies are Tough Enough to Wear Pink Fund/ Cowboys For Cancer Research P. O. Box 202, Dona Ana, New Mexico 88032 Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, February 11, 2011, from 3 to 4 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Boutz, Las Cruces, New Mexico with services to follow at 4 p.m. Rev. Norm Story will be officiating. Graveside services will be held at Mason City Cemetery, Mason City, Illinois, February 14, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with reception to follow at Jack and Jo's, Mason City, Illinois. PDF Printable Version
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