Mildred Dolores Mathews

Dolores (Dee) Mathews passed away peacefully in Arlington, Washington on October 29, 2023, the day after her 98th birthday. She was born in Neosho, Missouri on October 28, 1925. She is survived by her daughter Jerri Feris, her son-in-law Allen, and her grandchildren Kristin LeBlanc and Stephen Feris.

Having grown up through the Great Depression and World War II, Dee developed a strength in persevering – wasting absolutely nothing and living each day to the fullest, grasping every opportunity for adventure.

Graduating from Chillicothe Business College, Dee was able to help with the war effort in Washington, DC. She described this time in her life as the most exciting. These were huge moments in history living in the Nation’s Capital; from the death and mourning of Franklin D Roosevelt to the celebrations in the streets when the war ended. Working for the International Bank (World Bank) in her early 20’s was a fascinating learning experience as well.

Dee also had a passion for music from an early age and pursued it through piano and organ lessons, becoming quite accomplished as an organist and choir director for large churches. It was here in Washington, DC where she met her first husband, Paul Lippolt, who worked in the Dept. of Agriculture. They were married in 1949 and subsequently moved to Portland, OR where Paul had been transferred. Their daughter, Jerri, was born later in 1950. In 1951 Paul died unexpectedly and Dee was faced with urgently finding work and raising her daughter on her own. Her career as an organist took her later to Indianapolis, Indiana.

Throughout her life Dee was quite athletic. She thoroughly loved snow skiing, snowboarding, water skiing, windsurfing and daily runs with her dogs. In 1959, as a member of the Ski Club in Indianapolis, she traveled to Germany, Austria and Switzerland to ski.

One of her greatest desires was to be able to become a pilot. She left her career as an organist to move to California to work in aviation where she met her 2nd husband, Floyd Mathews. They were married in 1966 so Dee and her daughter moved to Woodland Hills, CA to join Floyd and his two children, Francine and Tim.

Dee continued to develop a strong interest for flying. Floyd, already a professional pilot, bought a Cessna 172. Dee soon got her pilot’s license and instrument rating. With her pilot’s license she joined the Ninety-Nines Women’s pilot organization and truly “found her wings”, making many close friendships. Additionally, she and Floyd spent weekends working with the Coast Guard Axillary. After losing their home in the Northridge Earthquake, Dee and Floyd found their dream home in Rosamond, California on a Skypark, with the taxiway behind their house and airplane hangar. They totally enjoyed this retirement stage of their life flying together and with their friends.

After Floyd passed away in 2010, Dee moved up to her daughter’s home in Arlington Washington in 2016 where she lived in a beautiful residential trailer on 5 acres with her precious dog Gretchen.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wellerfh.com for the Mathews family.