Mary Heber Mathews (ne'e Mary Parsons Heber), long time resident of Madison and Guilford, Ct., died peacefully in her sleep October 25, 2016 in Sedona, AZ. Mary was the widow of E. Gilbert Mathews (Gil) of Clapboard Hill, Guilford.

Mary was born in Haworth, N.J. on June 16, 1918 and was the daughter of the late Reginald and Bertha (McMillan) Heber of White Plains, NY.

Mary graduated from Skidmore College in 1940 with a BA in Fine Arts. She continued her education at NYU in graduate finance at the New School of Social Research. She also studied horticulture at Quinnipiac University. Her love of art inspired her lifelong enjoyment of oil painting, pottery and jewelry making. She exhibited her silver jewelry in 1957 along with a handful of other artists at the first Handcrafts Exposition in a borrowed Page Hardware tent on the Guilford Green.

During her marriage to Gil, she assisted him in his work as an industrial engineer and consultant to the packaging industry.

Mary loved the mystery of family genealogy, gardening, gourmet cooking and entertaining family and friends. In later years she and Gil spent time traveling overseas, especially to St. Maarten.

Mary is survived by her two sons, Edward G. Mathews III (Myrna) of San Clemente, CA and David P. Mathews (Nancy) of Guilford, CT, two grandchildren, Edward G. Mathews IV (Patricia) of Higganum, CT and Brian W. Mathews of San Diego, CA, three great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Col. Malcolm M. Heber, Reginald Heber, Jr. and Olga H. Kaufmann-Ardery.

Burial service will be held at the convenience of the family in Nut Plains Cemetery, Guilford, Ct. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Mary may contribute to:

· Compassus-Sedona Hospice, 70 Bell Rock Plaza, Ste A., Sedona, AZ 86351

· Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405

· Visit/Call or write a dear friend.

The Hawley Lincoln Memorial of Guilford, Ct. is in charge of the arrangements. To sign the online guestbook please visit hawleylincolnmemorial.com.