Patricia Anne Mathews

MATHEWS, PATRICIA ANNE, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 21, 1936 to George H. and Dorothy Stockett, and was the granddaughter of Joseph H. and Ethel LeCount.

She was the former wife of the late Owen S. Mathews, Jr. and was very proud of her family, Keith Mathews and wife Maria, Kevin Mathews and wife Maryann; her grandchildren Keira, Janel and husband Kyle, Crystal, Michael, Kevin Jr., Antonio and her great grandchildren Jakhi and Khalil. Her Partner of twenty seven years, Kenneth Gross, family and friends will remember her with love and affection.

She attended Boston University and had a career that was far reaching. As Deputy Director of the Urban League of RI, she advocated fair employment practices and community involvement. She later served as a staff member under the former Governor of Rhode Island, J. Joseph Garrahy.

Patricia retired from state service as Chief Public Information Officer for the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Among the many issues that she worked on were the rewriting of Minority Business Enterprise Order and the creation of a program for Southeast Asians to grow produce; she also worked to start a drop-in center for the youth of the city of East Providence.

Her grandfather, Joseph G. LeCount, was a staunch supporter of the N.A.A.C.P. - Providence Branch, and so it was no wonder that she developed Black History Classes while working as a Program Development Adviser at Rhode Island College.

She was a founding member of the Providence Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the East Providence Community Center. She was a former board member of John Hope Settlement House, MAP (Minority Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitative Services), Children's Museum; Community Service leader with RI CORE, Providence Shelter, United Way, South Providence Tutorial, Leadership Rhode Island, Community College of Rhode Island, OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center), R.I. Commission on Women, and many other various community advocacy organizations.

During her time on Martha's Vineyard she became endeared for her enthusiasm for 'getting the job done'. She was Treasurer of the local chapter of the ASALH (The Association for the Study of African American Life and History); and a postsecondary member of the Friends of Nathan Mayhew Seminars, an educational institution.

She believed that it 'takes a village to raise a child' and was driven to do whatever she could for Rhode Island and her community. Her commitment to community service, compassion for all and Christian beliefs, were acknowledged with many awards and scores of recognition, however she was most proud of the countless hearts and minds that she was able to touch by shared respect and caring.

Her Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 2, 2007, at the Bell Funeral Home, 571 Broad Street, Providence, RI. Visitation Sunday 10-10:30 a.m. An Omega-Omega Ceremony will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to her favorite charities will be appreciated: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Providence Alumnae Chapter, PO Box 40175, Providence, RI 02940; Urban League of Rhode Island, 246 Prairie Avenue, Providence, RI 02905-2397; NAACP-Providence Branch, PO Box 5767, Providence, RI 02903, and/or the NAACP of Martha's Vineyard Branch, PO Box 1513, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.

The Family wishes to extend heartfelt appreciation to everyone for all of their prayers and support during this very difficult time.