Lewise Austin "Weta" Mathies

June 20, 1933 - December 9, 2025 Lewise (Weta) Austin Mathies lived a life of adventure, deep friendships, love, and service. She died peacefully in her sleep December 9, 2025, in Newport Beach, CA. Weta was born in Pasadena, CA June 20, 1933, to Betty and Lloyd Austin. She grew up in Arcadia and while she was an avid horsewoman, she cherished all animals. As a freshman at Colorado College, she fell in love with her Zoology teaching assistant, Allen Wray Mathies, Jr. from Colorado Springs. They were married August 23, 1956, at All Saint's Episcopal Church in Pasadena. As Allen began his internship with Los Angeles County Hospital, Weta embraced her parents' guiding principle, "If you are fortunate and have a good education and a good life, you owe the community that gave it to you." She lived this belief wholehearted through decades of public service.

Weta served as President of Las Hermanitas Guild of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Pasadena Junior Philharmonic Committee, USC School of Medicine Medical Faculty Wives, Pacific Clinics, the Pasadena Humane Society, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. For many of these organizations, she became Board Chair and served in an Emeritus role until just a few years ago.

When Allen became Dean of USC's Medical School, Weta became a founding member and subsequently President of CARES, the Auxiliary of LA County/USC Medical Center. Each year, she and Allen warmly welcomed incoming medical students into their South Pasadena home, cherishing the opportunity to connect with the next generation of physicians. When Allen became President and CEO of Huntington Hospital, Weta continued serving the community in ways too numerous to recount.

Together they enjoyed their membership at the Valley Hunt Club, tennis at Live Oaks, USC football, annual trips to Cabo with their sons and granddaughters. They lived full and joyful lives together until Allen's passing in 2023. Weta lived her remaining years in Newport Beach, CA surrounded by family and friends. She is survived by her sons John and Bill, daughter-in-law Lisa and their children and grandchildren, Amanda (Jack, Willa) Buntmann, Riley (Mark, Georgia, Remy) Sakioka, whom she loved with her whole heart (especially her great grandbabies!). Her giving spirit and loving personality will live on in her family and those that she has called friends along the way.

The family has chosen to have a personal family service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Pasadena Humane Society and/or Huntington Memorial Hospital.