Deirdre M. ‘Deedee’ Mathews, talented dancer

Deirdre M. “Deedee” Mathews, 82, of Bethany Beach, formerly of Arlington, Va., passed away surrounded by her loving family Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019.

She was born in New York, N.Y., Aug. 31, 1937, daughter of the late David Komuro and the late Eileen (McKenna) Komuro.  After moving to Bethany Beach in 1990, she began working as a sacristan at St. Ann Catholic Church for several years.  

Deedee was a talented modern dancer prior to her marriage and becoming a mother. She was an avid reader, a member of the Secular Franciscan Order, and a faithful member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Bethany Beach. Deedee loved cooking for and feeding her large family, and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Richard L. Mathews; and eight children, Christopher Mathews and his wife Porfi, Jonathan Mathews and his wife Irene, Thomas Mathews and his wife Myung, Beth Stevens and her husband Richard, Anna Marie Nelson and her husband Trippy, Angela Niezgoda and her husband Steve, Peter Mathews and Michael Mathews.  She is also survived by her sister, Dara Flanagan and her husband Bob; sisters-in-law, Mary Schaible, Helen Delaney and Peggy (Joe) Maines; 20 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many, many cousins, nieces and nephews.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 29, at St. Ann Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, where friends and family may visit after 10 a.m.  Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.