MARY ALICE MATHEWS

1929 - 2015

Mathews, Mary Alice (Newhall) Of Ithaca, NY and Newton, MA, passed away peacefully on June 29th, 2015.  She leaves behind her daughter, Elizabeth Mathews, grandchildren, David Mathews and Eric Mathews, great-grandchild, Laythan Mathews and step-sons, Benjamin Fein-Cole, Brad Cole, Harold Cole and William Cole. The only daughter of a Cornell Professor, Dr. Alan G. Newhall, and his devoted wife Hazel Tull Newhall, Mary Alice was born [1929] and raised in Ithaca, NY. Fondly referred to as a Cornell brat, much of her childhood centered in and around the campus and life of the university and the rich academic life of her father. Professor Newhall was a plant pathologist and leading founder of the School of Agriculture. Mary Alice and her father shared many interests, perhaps most prominently a love of music. With him she developed her passions for the violin, voice, nature, sailing, gardening, camping, world travel, great ideas and a fierce zest for learning and discovery. Mary Alice and her family were active participants in the community of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Ithaca, and Mary Alice's vocal talents thrived in the exemplary Glee Club. Their home was full of international researchers and lively discussion. As part of Dr. Newhall's international research the family also spent several years living in the Philippines, Costa Rica and India. Mary Alice attended Cornell University, where her acumen in the performing arts took new heights. She won the lead role in the college's theatrical productions during her freshman and senior years and was a member of the Octagon club where she performed in University choral productions including "Two on the Isle" and "Speak of the Devil". She also enjoyed being a sorority sister of Alpha Phi. She went on to earn her Doctor of Medicine at Cornell Medical College in 1956. Shortly after, she followed her then husband Dr. Stephan Ernest Mathews to Boston where they undertook their respective residencies in neurosurgery and psychiatry at Harvard. Mary Alice established her own private practice in psychiatry in Newton and for over 40 years dedicated her therapeutic work to helping individuals and couples. In her early years in Boston she played second chair violin in the Cambridge Symphony orchestra and later went on to play with the Newton Symphony. She also sang in church choirs for several congregations. She adored her Victorian home which she enjoyed embellishing with the antiques she collected. Mary Alice was also an avid gardener, and when not shopping or working spent her free daylight hours tending to her impressive array of flowers and vegetables. Mary Alice was also an enthusiastic traveler. She knew nearly every major National Park in N. America including Glacier, Banff, and Jasper, and rafted the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, not once but twice. Her world travels took her as far as Indonesia, China, Africa, and Europe and in pursuing her recent passion for scuba diving and underwater photography she discovered the splendors of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Bali and the Red Sea. Her impressive photographs have been exhibited in the Boston area. Mary Alice had a verve and thirst for all things exciting and beautiful - a spirit that lived in her and will endure in her essence for eternity. Arrangements are presently underway for a memorial service and the details will be announced in September on the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home website, gfdoherty.com. George F. Doherty & Sons Needham 781 444 0687