Sophie Joseph Dauterive Mathews

The extraordinary life of Sophie Joseph Dauterive Mathews ended on February 27, 2006 after crossing the milestone of her 80th birthday on January 26. She completed her life with the same grace and aplomb that she lived it, and she will be missed. Funeral services will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 848 Harter Road in Dallas on Saturday, March 4 at 1:30 pm. Before the service, the family will be at the church to greet people beginning at 1:00 pm. Burial at Restland of Dallas will immediately follow the service. Sophie suggested that her obituary read: “She lived. She died. Be Generous.” However, her family wishes to elaborate. Sophie had the gift of exuberance and maintaining lifelong friendships. A tireless and dedicated helper, she invited everyone to her table, ever mindful of the needs of others. She is preceded in death by her son Mark Darby and her husband Leslie Joseph Mathews, Jr. She is survived by her son Michael and wife Carol, two daughters, Alice and husband Don, and Lesley Ann, seven grandchildren and three and 8/9 great-grandsons. She is also survived by a sister, Challie Berry and husband Wiley and a brother, James Dauterive and wife Margie. She retired in 1987 after 25 years of loyal service at the Texas Department of Public Safety, and spent her retirement years spoiling her grandchildren, enjoying her church community and volunteering at Caritas Soup Kitchen every Wednesday. In April, 2005 she received the City of Austin “Distinguished Service Award,” in recognition of her “tireless dedication, whose good attitude and sense of humor give a boost to staff, other volunteers and clients alike.” Sophie was, in her own words, a “tough old bird.” She survived a cancer diagnosis in the 1960’s which led to a later diagnosis of Hepatitis C from a blood transfusion. The last 12 years of her active and generous life were a gift from an anonymous liver donor and she was an active member of the Austin Liver Support Group. Her bumper sticker read, “Please don’t take your organs and tissues to Heaven, Heaven knows we need them here.” The family wishes to thank Mary Burgess, RN of Hospice Austin, Dr. Michael Teneriello and his nurse Cindy for their kind and compassionate care during her final illness with ovarian cancer. To honor her life and spirit, in lieu of flowers please send contributions to The Sophie Mathews Fund at 1 NE Douglas, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 (this fund is set up to honor Sophie's request to create a Playscape at the Episcopal Recreation Center at Texoma) or to Caritas of Austin, P.O. Box 1947, Austin, TX 78767-1947. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, Austin, TX. (512) 452-8811