[IMAGE]Geraldine R. Mathews
Deerfield, NH – The world lost a special soul with the passing of
Geraldine Rossé Mathews (July 24, 1931- August 2, 2025). Born into
humble beginnings, she lost her mother at an early age, and through
good fortune, her father had the prescience to send her to boarding
school. High Mowing school, with its eponymous vistas, atop Abbott
Hill in rural Wilton New Hampshire, was a literal breath of fresh air
for young Geraldine from New York City. High Mowing would become a
touchstone of her life. It was there she was introduced to a
wonderfully diverse education, nurtured by caring teachers and mentors
that opened new worlds to her young mind.
It was at a school dance that she met her future husband, a dashing
and decorated Army Air Corps pilot, that cut a handsome figure in his
leather flight jacket. He had come to visit a friend of Geraldine’s,
but there was no denying their attraction to each other. They soon wed
and embarked on starting a family business, and raising a family, on
Boston’s south shore. On a weekend drive through the New Hampshire
countryside, they fell in love with a charming Cape Cod-style home in
Deerfield, and purchased it on the spot. The old one-room schoolhouse
on the property became their workshop where they worked long hours
side by side, handcrafting exquisite custom shoes, but there was
always time for a family breakfast picnic at Pleasant Lake, or hosting
the local 4-H club, neighborhood Halloween parties and community
get-togethers.
“Gerry” graciously, and tirelessly entertained all of the extended
family that were drawn to their idyllic country home. Taking in nieces
and nephews for the summer became the norm, as she became their second
“mother”. She always had a large bottle of Dickinson’s Original Witch
Hazel at hand, for the inevitable scrapes and bruises, especially with
horses involved, that didn’t require a trip to the country doctor.
Life took another unexpected turn when a derelict farmstead across
town, came up for sale. They, of course, jumped at the opportunity.
The effort to bring it back to “life” was prodigious, with the five
children all pitching in. In her typical way, Geraldine embraced the
new farming lifestyle, baking weekly batches of amazing bread,
churning butter, stocking the freezer with homegrown fruits and
vegetables and preparing delicious hearty meals.
When the children were grown and on their own, Geraldine was drawn
back to High Mowing, which was so near and dear to her heart. She
volunteered her time in the administration, and eventually accepted
the position of Alumni Director, where she devoted many years to her
passion of breathing new life into her beloved school.
She enjoyed her later years in a lovely rustic light-filled home,
created from a salvaged antique post and beam barn. Set in a lovely
blueberry meadow, with a soothing mountain view, and visited by her
cherished birds and woodland creatures, she had found her “heaven”.
Her pastoral home became a welcoming gathering place for family
occasions and celebrations. “Grammie’s” house became a favorite of the
grand children, and great grand children, where she spoiled them with
attention and french toast, any time of day. No one left Grammie’s (if
it was even possible, as her long goodbyes, filled with hugs, began in
the kitchen, proceeded to the porch, continued across the lawn and
usually culminated through the open car window) without a treat for
the road, and when especially fortunate, one of her scrumptious old
family recipe Kuchens.
Geraldine will be missed by all that knew her for her positive outlook
on life and her bold can-do spirit. She will forever be an inspiration
to us.
A celebration of Geraldine’s life will be announced, for those that
wish to join us in remembrance.