Lillian M. Mathews

Lillian "Lilli" M. Mathews, local artist, died Sunday, February 20, 2011 at her home in Anacortes. Lilli was born in Joplin MO, on December 17, 1923, and grew up in Kansas City. In addition to being a wonderful wife and loving mother, her lifelong passion was art. Her artistic proclivity was first observed when, as a small child, she discovered that plaster chips made fine chalk for sidewalk art. Her first scholarship was awarded when she was 12 years old. Lilli studied art formally at the Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design, Art Student's League in New York, Art Guild classes in St Louis, and related courses at the University of California Los Angeles, and Western Washington University. She was a producing artist throughout her life, and has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibits. Lilli taught child and adult classes, conducted workshops, and served as juror for several shows. Her works, most typically interpretive landscapes, were completed in many media, including beeswax encaustic. Lilli was a diligent observer of nature, and a consummate student of anything related to art. She was perceptive and sensitive. Lilli looked for beauty everywhere, and brought beauty, laughter, love and joy to family and friends. All who knew Lilli will miss her mischievous sense of humor and her infectious laugh. She was much loved, and will be greatly missed! Lilli leaves her husband of 54 years, Calvin, a retired WWU administrator; her daughter, Jill of Bellingham; and her sister, Dolores, of Amarillo, TX. No services are planned, and the family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to the Museum of Northwest Art, P.O. Box 969, La Conner, WA 98257 (www.museumofnwart.org) or, TNA The Facial Pain Association, 408 W. University Ave., Suite 602, Gainesville, FL 32601 (www.fpa-support.org) The family expresses deep gratitude to the many health professionals involved in her recent care, notably, Susan Hill, ARNP, Island Hospital's Physical Therapists, and Skagit Hospice. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. (www.evanschapel.com).