Caroline Mathews
November 1940 - December 2021

Our dear friend and community member Caroline Mathews passed away on December 22, 2021. She was 81 years old. She was born in Los Angeles in 1940. Throughout her childhood she lived in various locations including Yreka, California and Demming, Iowa. During High School, her family returned to California. Caroline received her Masters degree from Humboldt State University in 1976 while raising her two daughters. She taught business and history for over 30 years at Fortuna Union High School.

As a young adult, Caroline was an avid runner. She racked up the miles running on the Arcata bottoms. She enjoyed backpacking and hiking all over Northern California and beyond. Caroline loved the Trinity Alps. She often went backpacking with friends or her daughter. Her last trip was in 2019 with her daughter and her grandson.

Caroline spent her life dedicated to serving God and was an active member in the church of the Nazarene in Arcata. Caroline’s heart was as big as her smile, always was she willing to lend a hand to help those in need. She volunteered wherever there was a need in her community. One of her favorite volunteer jobs was making baby blankets and hats and donating them to Mad River Community Hospital for any mother in need.

Caroline was a member of the Wae Yu Nae Gong dojo in Arcata and earned her blackbelt in 2012. She was an active participant and volunteer in Relay for Life. She quilted and had many friends in her quilting group. In her 70s she began learning to play the piano. She spent her life learning the things that interested her.

Her life was filled with her garden, working on her home, enjoying her friends and her grandchildren. Caroline lived life to its fullest and gave so much of herself to others. She is survived by her two daughters Jodie and Lisa and their families which include her two grandchildren Sophie and Cian, her sister Jeanette and her nieces Pamela, Deborah, Melinda and Hawley. Thank you Caroline for the love you gave. May you feel the love from all of those who love you as well.

A celebration of life will take place at the Arcata church of the Nazarene on April 24th, 2022. Any inquiries can be sent to arcatanazarenepastor@gmail.com. Please donate to the Nazarene Church in Arcata in lieu of flowers.