Della Mathews Obituary

Della Jean Mathews, affectionately known to all as Jeannie, was called home to the Lord on the 11th of June, 2025, surrounded by the natural beauty of Concho, Arizona, where she peacefully passed away in the comfort of her own home due to natural causes. Born on the 18th of March, 1943, in the bustling city of San Bernardino, California, Jeannie's radiant spirit was a beacon of joy and laughter throughout her 82 years.
Jeannie's life was a testament to the power of love, faith, and a good chuckle. She walked through life with the unwavering support of her beloved husband, Chester "Chet" Mathews, who preceded her in death, and the close-knit bond with her son, Kenny Baumgartner, who survives her. Though her brother Jack Long and sister Patricia Anderson, along with her parents, have passed on before her, the legacy of their family's love endures in her nephew John Long and niece Mindy DiSalvo.
Her career as a top Avon sales representative spanned over four decades, during which she not only beautified lives through her products but also through her presence. Jeannie's friendly demeanor and genuine interest in the lives of her customers earned her a cherished place in many hearts and homes. Her work was not just a job but a means to connect, uplift, and spread cheer.
Jeannie's devout Christian faith was the cornerstone of her life, guiding her through trials and triumphs with grace and humor. She found the divine in every corner of creation, whether it was through the petals of her garden, the stroke of her paintbrush, or the quiet thrill of a fish nibbling at her line. An avid reader, she often shared the wisdom she found in books, with a preference for those that could make her laugh as well as think.
Her love for the outdoors was as vast as the Arizona skies, with birdwatching being one of her favorite pastimes. She delighted in the simple pleasure of observing God's creatures and often joked that she was a "professional bird stalker," taking her binoculars wherever she went. As life progressed and left her wheelchair bound, she still continued to get out whenever possible and brought nature to her doorstep with her balcony vegetable garden and birdfeeders.
Jeannie's spirit was a blend of friendly conversation, loving embraces, and spirited laughter. She was the kind of person who never met a stranger, only friends she hadn't shared a joke with yet. In her memory, we recall the words of the beloved comedian Bob Hope: "I do benefits for all religions – I'd hate to blow the hereafter on a technicality." Jeannie, too, embraced a life of inclusivity and joy, sharing her light with everyone, regardless of their walk in life.
Jeannie's legacy is one of love, laughter, and the light of faith. She lived her life as a testament to the belief that a day without laughter was a day wasted. Her spirit, her loving nature, and her friendly smile will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
As we say goodbye to Jeannie, we celebrate a life beautifully lived and a journey completed with love and laughter. Jeannie's life was a well-lived novel, filled with chapters of love, faith, and laughter, and though her book has closed, her story will continue to inspire and delight us, just as she would have wanted. Jeannie's departure from this world is not an end, but a transition to an eternal life where every day is a good hair day, and the angels are learning that heaven is a place where the laughter never ends.
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