Obituary of Loraine C. Mathewson

Loraine C. Mathewson, age 93 of Youngstown, died Saturday February 20, 2010 at Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence in Lewiston. Loraine was born February 6, 1917 in Buffalo, NY, the daughter of the late Frederick C. and Lydia (Steenis) Fish. She was a graduate of Riverside High School in Buffalo and received her teaching degree in 1939 from Fredonia State College. Loraine continued her post graduate education at State Teacher's College in Buffalo and at D'Youville College. On April 28, 1941 she married Warren W. Mathewson who was a Tool & Die Maker who later in life was an antique firearms collector and appraiser. Loraine served as Assistant Administrator at the former Buffalo Columbus Hospital from 1961 to1974. From 1974 to 1976 she was the original Administrator at the Buffalo Downtown Nursing Home, now known as the Waterfront Health Care Facility. Her credentials include NY State Department of Health Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, American College of Nursing Home Administrators, American College of Hospital Administrators, and Registered Medical Record Administrator. Loraine wintered in Florida from 1977 to 1990. Following her retirement in 1977 and the death of her husband in 1981, Loraine continued to winter in Florida until 1990 at which time she moved from Kenmore with her daughter Jean to St. Louis, MO, then subsequently to Jacksonville, FL before returning to Western New York in 1999 settling in Youngstown. Throughout her professional career Loraine was best remembered as "Mrs. M.". She served on the Board of Director's and was a former Chairman of the Residence Committee of the Buffalo and Erie County YWCA; was a recipient of the Susan B. Anthony Award; a Fellow of the American College of Hospital Administrators; Past President and member of the Western New York Medical Record Association; Past Chairman of the Credentials Committee and member of the Medical Record Association of New York State; member of the American Medical Record Association; a member on the Advisory Committee of Daemen College; and a member of the Long Term Care Committee of the Western New York Hospital Association. She was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown. Her hobbies and interests were varied. She was an opera buff; enjoyed classical music; sang semi-professionally up until the 1980's; was a member of the Sarasota Chorale Society; enjoyed camping, bird watching, and canoeing; and was an accomplished count thread cross stitch needle worker. She is survived by her daughters, Carol Mathewson and Jean E. Krieger; a grandson, Vernon E. Krieger, Jr. all of Youngstown; and a great granddaughter, Elizabeth Krieger of Richmond, VA. She was predeceased by two brothers, Frederick Jr. and Eugene Fish; and a sister, Esther Fish. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 27, at 11:00 am in the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, 100 Church St., Youngstown, with the Rev. Charles Lamb officiating. There will be no prior visitation. Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown or to Our Lady of Peace Nursing Care Residence, 5285 Lewiston Rd., Lewiston, NY 14092. Arrangements have been entrusted to HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, N. Fourth & Ridge Sts., Lewiston.