Obituary of Agnes Irene Mather

Agnes (Irene) Mather Agnes (Irene) Matherof Vestal, N.Y.Agnes (Irene) Mather, 89, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday morning, July 27, 2008, after a long illness. Her memory will live on through her children and many friends. She is survived by her children, Carol (Gordon) Kellum, Vestal, N.Y., Janice (Tom) Henry-Webber, Leesburg, Fla., Brenda (Tony) Middendorf, Owego, N.Y., and Dr. Thomas (Janet) Mather, Birchardville, Pa.; her brother and sister-in-law, Honorable Stanley and Reiko Mills, Newark Valley, N.Y.; her grandchildren, Robert T. Stacconi, Richard J. Stacconi, Bonni Phelps, Lisa Deshaies, Mark Henry, Susan Moyer, Todd Henry, Brian Doty, Lyndelle Miller, Joseph Doty, Anthony Middendorf, Mark Middendorf, Nicole Middendorf, Elizabeth Marland, Joshua Mather, Kristen Landis, Benjamin Mather. She is also survived by 35 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. Irene was predeceased by her parents, Hazel and Clarence Mills; by the love of her life for 65 years, Rev. Walter (Tom) Mather; her newborn daughter, Joanne Kay; brothers, Martin Mills, Herman Mills; sisters, Mabel Ward, Betty Davie and Sarah McFall. Irene was passionate about helping many children, as well as adults to know her Savior, Jesus Christ through her many years of teaching Sunday school at First Baptist of Vestal, where Tom was assistant Pastor, and also at First Baptist of Johnson City and Calvary Tabernacle Baptist Church in Vestal. She continued her testimony of Christ to the residents and employees of Riverview Manor and Willow Point Nursing Home, where she resided at the time of her passing. Irene worked for Service Merchandise in Endicott, N.Y. and Vestal Central School. Her grandchildren were the jewels in her crown. She enjoyed nothing more than having her family around her and feeding them her wonderful farm cooking. Fourth of July was an especially fun time at her house with homemade ice cream, corn on the cob and illegal fireworks. These times will never be forgotten. Many thanks go out to the wonderful people who gave Mom such loving and gentle care at Willow Point Nursing Home, especially Kathy, Mindy, Angela, Sue and Pat, as well as many others not named. Thank you one and all. Also, thank to Dr. Park who was so attentive and helpful with his compassion to the family. A thank you to Dr. Ramanujan who was her physician for many years. He is a wonderful, loving doctor who made Mom's heart sing when she saw him. Big thanks, Dr. Ram.Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. from the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, Inc., 765 Main St., Vestal. The Rev. Raymond Purdy, Jr., Pastor of the Bible Church of Hunlock Creek, Pa., will officiate. Burial will be in Nanticoke Valley Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday from 10-11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the American Heart Association, 59 Court St., Binghamton, N.Y. 13901; the American Diabetes Association, 356 North Midler Ave., Syracuse, N.Y. 13026; or to Calvary Baptist Tabernacle Church, 729 Main St., Vestal, N.Y. 13850.