Elizabeth Diane Mattern

1981 - 2022

Elizabeth Diane Mattern

OLEAN - Elizabeth Diane Mattern, 40, of 201 Arland Ave., passed away Monday, June 27, 2022, after a long illness.

Born Nov. 14, 1981, she was raised in Allegany by her mother, the late Joyce A. Homuth, and stepfather, the late James A. Homuth.

Beth, as she was known to friends and family, had the ability to light up a room, an infectious laugh, a keen wit and an empathy that knew no bounds. She devoted her life to education, the law – a vocation she committed to at the age of five – and service to others.

After graduating from Allegany-Limestone High School in 2000, Beth attended Cornell University, where she was a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority and received a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial and labor relations and an accelerated master of public administration. In 2008, she completed her Juris Doctor from the Columbia University School of Law, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.

Beth spent the majority of her career as an associate in the Corporate Group at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, one of the world's leading international law firms and the oldest continuing Wall Street law practice in the United States. At Cadwalader, her practice focused on mergers and acquisitions, securities law, corporate finance and corporate governance. During her time at the firm, Beth was part of the lead counsel to Pfizer Inc. in the $68 billion cash and stock acquisition of Wyeth Inc., a transaction named Deal of the Year by Investment Dealer's Digest.

In both 2009 and 2010, she was granted the honorific title of "Empire State Counsel" by the New York State Bar Association. Beth, however, was most proud of her pro bono work, particularly her roles as the lead associate representing a non-profit that provides shelter and supportive services for survivors of domestic violence and a non-profit hunger-relief organization, for which she was twice the recipient of Cadwalader's annual Pro Bono Certificate of Excellence.

In addition to Cadwalader, Beth also spent two years as an associate at Phillips Lytle LLP in Rochester, where her practice was concentrated on corporate law, with an emphasis on employee benefits. She also served on the firm's Diversity Committee. In 2014, Beth returned to Olean following the death of both of her parents. She worked as a professor at St. Bonaventure University and Alfred State College, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses related to business law, the legal environment and business ethics. Committed to her students, Beth also served as an academic advisor to the St. Bonaventure University Women's Club Soccer Team.

In recent years, she dedicated her private practice to pro bono work, assisting clients with estate management, housing and lease matters and general contract review.

A life-time member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Allegany, Beth served for many years as co-chair of the church's Sonshine Group, which meets monthly to send cards to the ill, homebound and military personnel. It is an endeavor in which she took great pride and pleasure.

In addition to her family and friends, Beth loved Ireland and Irish music, being out on the water, lobster rolls, true crime shows, reading historical texts and animals, especially her devoted rescue cat Teagan, who would come when she whistled.

Beth is survived by her twin sister, Amy Mattern of Olean; two aunts, Kay Mattern of Olean and Gloria Homuth of Cuba; three uncles, Gerald (Elaine) Mattern of Spencerport, David (Luanna) Homuth of Cuba and Rick (Rosie) Homuth of Cuba; and many cousins.

In addition to her parents, Beth was predeceased by an aunt, Barbara Mattern; an uncle, Thomas Homuth; and a cousin, William Russell.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date and will be announced.

Memorial donations would be gratefully received by St. John's Lutheran Church, 36 N. Fourth St. in Allegany; or the SPCA in Cattaraugus County, 2944 Route 16 in Olean.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St., Olean.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.