Mary Kay Mathews

Mary Kay Mathews, 82, born June 30, 1943, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Riverside Hospital. Mary Kay had more personality, sass, stubbornness and love any one person is allowed to have!! She wore many hats throughout her life. She was a devoted wife for over 60 years to Ralph, her forever love. She was an incredible mother, sister, friend, beloved Mimi, and a fabulous nurse. She received her Nursing Degree from Mount Carmel School of Nursing and worked more than 45 years in a field she loved. 40 of those years were spent at Riverside Hospital. Ralph and Mary Kay built a beautiful life together. Through every high and low they stood by each other. They traveled the world together, laughed endlessly, and built a beautiful family legacy that most people only dream about. Mary Kay was a phenomenal cook. Christmas and Thanksgiving meals looked like they jumped out of a cookbook. You could never pull a fast one over on Mary Kay, she always said “You’d have to get up pretty early to get a fast one over on me!” She had a heart of gold. Her home was her refuge, family and friends were always welcomed. Mary Kay loved her dogs: Tasha, Max, Coco, and Gigi. She also loved her Soap Opera’s. We all knew not to call her between 2p-3p. She was devoted to her faith and was a parishioner at Immaculate Conception (IC) for over 50+ years. She volunteered numerous hours, at both IC and Bishop Watterson, where she served as President of Mother’s Club. Through all her volunteer work she has formed lifelong friendships. Mary Kay poured her heart into being a grandmother, or as her grandchildren called her, Mimi. This was her greatest joy. She attended all their events and thought they were the best at everything they did. In November, Mary Kay became a Great-Mimi, which filled her heart with so much joy. The hole Mary Kay leaves in our family can never be filled, but the love she gave us will live inside us forever. Her legacy will carry on. 

Mary Kay is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Mary Cornwell, her Aunt Virginia Stack, Brother-in-Law Jon Mathews, Sister Connie and Brother-in-Law Ronald Rohr, In-Laws Francis and Ralph Mathews; Sister-in-laws Marsha Mathews (Loving Wife of Jim Mathews), Sister In-Law Dolores and Brother-In-Law Bob Richmond, and Jim Jones (Beloved Husband of Mary Jones. She is survived by husband of over 60 years, Ralph Mathews, daughters, Amy (Tim) Malone, Anne (Marshall) Erkman, and her beloved grandchildren, Andrew (Bre) Malone, Abby (Nick) Stull, Maggie Malone, Will Erkman, Alexis Erkman, and great-granddaughter, Sutton Grace Stull. Sister, Ginny (Craig) Bauman, brother, Bob (Mona) Cornwell, sister-in-law Mary Jones, brother-in-laws, Joe (Barb) Mathews, Jim Mathews, Mike (Barb) Mathews, cousin, Charlie Stack, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Ohio Health Emergency Room Staff and Floor 7 Yellow Section staff for all their compassion and support during Mary Kay’s stay. Calling Hours will be held at Egan-Ryan Northwest, 4661 Kenny Rd. Columbus, Ohio 43220 on Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 4p-7p. Mass of Christian Burial at Immaculate Conception, 414 E North Broadway Columbus, Ohio 43214 on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 11am. Entombment to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. We Love You!!

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