Christine H. Mathews, RN (nee Mosinski) age 90. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Paul H. for 54 years. Dear mother of Paula Jagelewski (Chris), Robert (Paula), Mary Johnson (Paul), and Christine Dotson (Delbert).

Cherished grandmother of Anna Jagelewski (Scott Britton, deceased), Michael Jagelewski (Alicia Rooney), Jessica Murray (Robert), Nicholas Mathews (Jenna), Teresa Ross (Sarah), Andrew Johnson (Mallory), Kevin Johnson (Maureen), Allison Jenkins (Ethan), and Adam Dotson. Devoted great-grandmother of 11. Dear sister of Marylyn Latek (Richard, both deceased), and Joseph C. Mosinski (Miriam). Dear godmother, aunt and friend.

Chris spent her life raising four busy children and building a loving family with her husband. She was always available to her children and grandchildren to lend an ear and give advice, if asked. She diligently kept photo albums and wrote elegant journals about our family history reaching back to the 1800s.

When the last of her children was in high school, Chris felt it was time to finish what she had started 29 years earlier. She returned to college to complete a nursing degree. She had started a degree nursing program at Georgetown in 1953 but could not complete it because of her marriage. At that time women were not allowed to stay in college once married.

In 1982 she went back to school. It was while she was in school in 1983 that she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The tumor was successfully removed. However, her studies were interrupted again by her recovery. The operation left her with a drop foot but she returned to classes and graduated in 1986 with the coveted RN. She passed her state exams and began her career as a full-time, night-shift nurse at Lutheran Hospital.

Ten years later, Chris underwent surgery for two additional brain tumors. Except for recovery time, she continued to work at her career ministering to patients for almost 10 years. She spent most of her career on a surgical floor where the patients had orthopedic or neurological surgeries. Her recognizable footsteps identified her to many of her patients even before she entered their rooms and her unique experience offered a valuable perspective to patients recovering from neurosurgery.

Despite these many challenges, Chris frequently spoke of gratitude. Her courage and determination to complete what she started in 1953, and to overcome the setbacks of her surgery have been inspirational and a source of pride to her family and others who knew her story.

Chris’ family wishes to thank the staff at Avon Oaks Caring Community for the compassionate care and kindness they provided. In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to Transplant House of Cleveland (www.transplanthouseofcleveland.org), Smile Train (www.smiletrain.org), or Bright Spot Network (gwww.brightspotnetwork.or).

The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 7 from 3-6 pm at the Misencik Funeral Home, 36363 Detroit Road, Avon where closing prayers will be on Monday, June 8 at 9:30am followed by a 10am Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 33601 Detroit Road, Avon. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, Avon.