Barbara Mathewson Gaul

Barbara Mathewson Gaul 1919-2015

age 96, of Massillon, Ohio, died Dec. 16, 2015. Barbara, the wife of the late John Wilcox Gaul, was born May 12, 1919, in Buffalo, N.Y., to the late George Lawrence Mathewson and Winifred Smith Mathewson. She was a graduate of The Buffalo Seminary, class of 1937, and studied at Smith College. Barbara married Buffalo native John W. (“Jack”) Gaul, in 1939 in Natchez, Miss., where he had been assigned as a civil engineer on a bridge project. Barbara dedicated her life to Jack and their three children as his career required relocating from Buffalo, Eggertsville, and Medina, New York and finally to Massillon, Ohio. They lived in Massillon for a year before moving to Lake Cable, where they enjoyed every opportunity to explore the lake's inlets by canoe and sailboat. Barbara spearheaded a campaign that saved the old shade trees at the beach when others sought to build a pool in their place. She was a devoted den mother to her son's boisterous Cub Scout Pack.
Barbara became a very active member of Central Presbyterian Church in Massillon. She attended Synod of the Covenant School and served as an elected Ruling Elder throughout the 1970's and 1980's. The church had been studying the Central American situation in 1984 during the civil war in El Salvador. The church voted in favor of offering sanctuary to an illegal refugee from El Salvador, who had fled the country in fear of the death squads. Barbara became the chief advocate and benefactor of the young refugee. The vote meant that Central Presbyterian defied the law by offering work, shelter and medical care to the refugee. After four years the refugee moved to Houston so that she and her children could be nearer Hispanic culture and she could become independent. Barbara's friendship with her continued as she and her children eventually became U.S. citizens and two of her children served in the Navy and the Air Force. Barbara taught youth club classes and youth Sunday School in the 1970's and 1980's, was an active member of the Women's Circle, and taught adult women's education from the 1990's until 2011.
Barbara gave love, wisdom, compassion and support to each person she knew in her roles as daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. She was a consummate story-teller, who shared her experiences with others through entertaining conversation and extraordinarily thoughtful correspondence. Wherever she lived and traveled she delighted in theater, classical symphonies and pop concerts, painting and sculpture. Always a prodigious reader, in her later years she focused on political biographies, preferring to learn about real people rather than fictional characters. She stayed current by reading multiple newspapers and magazines, and was always eager to discuss political issues, controversies, and world events.
Barbara is survived by her daughters Linda Gassaway of Albuquerque, N.M., and Christine Mitchell of Colorado Springs, Colo. and her husband, John; her son, Harry William Gaul and his wife, Lo-An of Gilbert, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mrs. Rufus Mathewson (the former Dorothy Gates) and nieces, Martha Mathewson of Buffalo and Ruth Mathewson Hays of Snyder; and nephew, Lawrence Mathewson, of Greenville, S.C.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30 in Central Presbyterian Church, Massillon, Ohio, with Pastor Larry Lalama officiating. According to Barbara's wishes, cremation has taken place and interment will be made at a later date in Buffalo, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Wilderness Center, PO Box 202, Wilmot, OH 44689-0202

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